LOUVET 


LOUVET: 

REVOLUTIONIST  &  ROMANCE-WRITER 


BY 

JOHN    RIVERS 


With   18   Illustrations,   including 
a  Photogravure  Frontispiece 


NEW  YORK: 

BRENTANO'S 


Printed  in  Great  Britain 


TO     MY     WIFE 

ELISE    RIVERS,   nte   DUCHAMP. 


PREFACE 

CARLYLE'S  contemptuous  reference  to,  and  summary  dis- 
missal of,  Faublas  in  his  French  Revolution  have  made  at 
least  the  name  of  that  romance  familiar  to  English  readers, 
and  most  have  been  content  to  pass  on  their  way  regard- 
ing its  author  as  nothing  more  than  a  typical  eighteenth 
century  purveyor  of  the  superfluities  of  naughtiness.  If 
we  except  M.  Aulard's  biographical  introduction  to  his 
admirable  edition  of  Louvet's  Memoires,  and  the  briefer 
notices  attached  to  the  various  reprints  of  his  works, 
no  biography  of  Louvet  has,  so  far  as  I  am  aware,  been 
published  either  in  French  or  English,  although  he  was 
admittedly  one  of  the  most  romantic  figures  in  the  whole 
history  of  the  French  Revolution. 

Three  years  have  passed  since  I  discovered  (as  doubtless 
many  others  have  done  before  me)  that  Louvet  was  not 
only  a  most  brilliant  writer,  but  also  a  most  fascinating 
hero,  of  romance  ;  and  that  the  plain  record  of  his  life 
after  writing  that  wonderful,  though  much  maligned, 
romance,  Faublas,  is  as  breathlessly  exciting  and  as  full 
of  picturesque  incident  and  rapid  movement  as  the  most 
dashing  tale  ever  imagined  by  Dumas  himself.  Indeed, 
it  is  not  too  much  to  affirm  that  whilst  the  historian  will 
find  in  Faublas  an  invaluable  picture  of  French  society 
under  the  ancien  regime,  the  novelist  may  confidently  turn 
to  the  pages  of  his  Recit  de  mes  perils  with  the  expectation 
of  finding  the  material  for  half  a  dozen  stirring  romances. 

Louvet's  political  activity  covers  the  whole  period 
from  the  fall  of  the  Bastille  to  the  beginning  of  the  Direc- 
toire  ;  and  the  account  he  has  given  us  of  his  life  is  a 
human  document  of  the  greatest  historical  value,  which 

vii 


PREFACE 

flashes  light  into  many  an  obscure  passage  of  those  terrible 
days  when  the  goddess  Liberty  became  transformed, 
through  the  perversity  of  men,  into  a  devouring  Fury 
athirst  for  the  blood  of  her  noblest  sons. 

It  is  the  tragic  history  of  the  Girondist  Deputies  who 
escaped  to  Normandy  after  their  expulsion  from  the  Con- 
vention on  June  2nd,  1793.  It  tells  of  their  proscription 
and  flight  across  France,  tracked  like  wolves  from  lair 
to  lair,  of  their  wanderings  in  disguise  from  one  hiding- 
place  to  another,  denied  and  betrayed  by  their  dearest 
friends,  until  they  were  one  by  one  driven  to  suicide,  or 
led  without  trial  to  the  scaffold.  It  is  a  narrative  of  base 
treachery  and  heroic  courage,  of  ingratitude  of  the  worst 
kind,  and  of  self-sacrifice  even  unto  death.  There  are 
surprises  and  hairbreadth  escapes,  terrible  privations  and 
sufferings  met  with  stoical  fortitude  and  unfailing  cheer- 
fulness, perils  by  day  and  by  night,  overcome  by  an  ever- 
ready  wit  and  resourcefulness  ;  and  running  like  a  golden 
thread  through  the  whole  history  there  is  the  charming 
love-story  of  Louvet  and  the  sweet  and  gracious  woman 
who  shared  his  perils  and  inspired  him  with  a  lifelong  and 
passionate  devotion. 

Louvet's  Recit  de  mes  perils  was  twice  translated  into 
English  in  1795,  but  neither  translation  has  since  been 
reprinted.  As  the  work  was  written  under  the  most 
trying  circumstances  during  his  flight,  there  are  many  gaps 
in  the  history,  and  the  continuity  of  the  narrative  is  often 
interrupted  by  long  tirades  against  his  enemies,  and  by 
the  introduction  of  other  matter  of  little  interest  to  the 
modern  reader.  I  have,  therefore,  deemed  it  expedient  in 
the  present  work  to  re-tell  the  story,  closely  following  his 
own  narrative  wherever  possible.  By  adopting  this 
course,  I  have  been  able  to  piece  together  the  record  of 
his  early  and  later  life,  and  to  supplement  his  own  account 
by  information  gleaned  from  other  sources.  The  task  of 
sifting  the  literature  of  the  period  for  facts  bearing  on 
Louvet  and  Lodoiiska  has  been  a  laborious  one,  though  by 

viii 


PREFACE 

no  means  devoid  of  compensations  ;  and  if  I  have  suc- 
ceeded in  communicating  to  the  reader  a  tithe  of  the 
interest  in  the  French  Revolution  which  the  adventures 
of  those  exemplary  lovers  has  aroused  in  me,  I  shall  feel 
that  my  work  has  not  been  written  in  vain. 

It  gives  me  pleasure  here  to  acknowledge  my  indebted- 
ness to  my  old  friend  George  Morton  Willis,  a  descendant 
of  Dr.  Francis  Willis  (the  famous  Physician -in -Ordinary 
to  George  III.),  who  plays  such  an  important  part  in 
the  denouement  of  Faublas,  for  many  helpful  suggestions, 
and  for  the  stimulus  derived  from  many  conversations  on 
the  Revolution  in  general  and  the  subject  of  this  biography 
in  particular. 

JOHN  RIVERS. 
Hampstead. 


IX 


CONTENTS 


CHAPTER   I 

French  society  in  1760 — Birth  of  Louvet — His  parentage — His 
first  adventure — An  early  Republican — A  boy  and  girl  love 
affair — The  coming  of  Lodoi'ska — Her  marriage — Louvet's  despair 
— Influence  of  Voltaire  and  Rousseau — First  literary  success — 
He  becomes  a  publisher's  clerk — And  is  admitted  avocat — 
"  Studied  ease  "  on  ^33  a  year — Was  Louvet  of  noble  descent  ? 
— What  he  has  to  say  on  the  subject — His  double,  Pierre  Florent 
Louvet — He  completes  Faublas — His  method  of  work — He  is 
joined  by  Lodoi'ska — Origin  of  her  name — Great  success  of 
Faublas — Kemble's  melodrama  Lodoiska  I 

CHAPTER  II 

Les  Amours  du  Chevalier  de  Faublas    .         .         .--'-.         .         .18 

CHAPTER  III 

Louvet  returns  to  Paris — Lodoiska  again — Nemours — The  sex 
question  during  the  Revolution — The  teaching  of  the  pkilosophes, 
and  its  results — Louvet  dons  the  tricolour — The  King's  veto — 
"  An  infamous  orgy  " — Louvet  is  called  out — The  insurrection 
of  the  5-6  October,  1789 — Louvet  and  Lodoiska  seek  to  win 
over  the  soldiers — Louvet  begins  his  political  career — Paris 
justifif — The  Jacobins 30 

CHAPTER  IV 

Emilie  de  Varmont — Robespierre's  joke — Louvet  as  a  dramatist — 
His  wit — The  quarrel  between  King  and  Legislature — The 
Flight  to  Varennes — Marat's  foresight — The  Revolution  in  the 
Provinces — The  first  French  Republic — A  King's  business — 
Louis'  double-dealing — He  takes  the  oath — End  of  the  first 
phase  of  the  Revolution 46 

CHAPTER   V 

Robespierre's  cunning — First  meeting  of  the  Legislative  Assembly 
— The  Parties — Brissot — Vergniaud — Rise  of  the  Girondists — 
Louvet  is  convinced  of  the  King's  duplicity — He  discusses  his 
plans  with  Lodoiska — Her  fears — Louvet  is  elected  to  serve 
on  the  Jacobins'  Committee  of  Correspondence — His  colleagues 

56 
xi 


CONTENTS 


CHAPTER  VI 

Threats  and  intrigues  of  the  Emigres — Coercive  measures  proposed 
against  them — Vergniaud's  first  great  speech — King  vetoes  the 
decree  against  the  fimigrts — Louvet's  great  oratorical  success — 
Curiosity  of  the  ladies — Louvet's  interview  with  Camille  Des- 
moulins  and  Robespierre  on  the  proposed  war  with  Austria — 
Letter  from  Mme.  Roland — Robespierre  declaims  against  the 
war — His  trap  for  Louvet — Louvet  creates  a  diversion — He 
overwhelms  Robespierre  with  ridicule — He  makes  an  implacable 
enemy  and  a  life-long  friend — Triumph  of  the  Girondists — 
Louvet  proposed  as  Minister  of  Justice — Robespierre  intrigues 
against  him — His  life  threatened — Robespierre's  accusation — 
Jacobins  attempt  to  howl  Louvet  down — A  clever  ruse — Louvet 
clears  himself  of  Robespierre's  calumnies — His  placard-journal 
La  Sentinelle — His  witty  parable  on  Marat — Breach  between  the 
Mountain  and  the  Gironde — War  declared  against  Austria — 
Disaster — Fury  of  Dumouriez 66 

CHAPTER  VII 

The  Girondists  undermine  the  Throne — The  King  exercises  his  veto 
— Roland's  letter  of  remonstrance — The  King's  resentment — He 
dismisses  the  Girondist  Ministry — Insurrection  of  June  2Oth — 
Lafayette  comes  to  Paris — Guadet's  sarcasm — Arrival  of  the 
Federal  troops — Brunswick's  manifesto — He  invades  France — 
Insurrection  of  August  loth — Capture  of  the  Tuileries — Napoleon 
watches  the  fight — Louvet  rescues  some  Swiss  Guards — Im- 
prisonment of  the  Royal  Family — Where  was  Robespierre  ? — 
Commune  becomes  all  powerful — Arrest  of  suspected  persons 
— Executive  Committee  of  Twenty-One  elected — Louvet  becomes 
editor  of  the  Journal  desD/bats — Lodoiska  assists  him — September 
massacres — First  meeting  of  the  Convention — Amar  compli- 
ments Lodoiska — Her  retort 80 

CHAPTER  VIII 

Social  life  in  Paris  during  the  Revolution — The  salons — The  Talmas 
— Their  fgte  to  Dumouriez — Louvet  as  a  conversationalist — 
M.  J.  Chfenier — Ducis — Dumouriez — Dramatic  appearance  of 
the  People's  Friend — Marat  denounces  the  guests ...  87 

CHAPTER  IX 

Louvet  elected  to  the  Convention — He  resumes  his  feud  with 
Robespierre — His  suspicions  of  Robespierre,  Danton,  and  Marat 

xii 


CONTENTS 

— Were  they  justified  ? — Character  of  Marat — His  sincerity  and 
disinterestedness — Usefulness  of  the  fanatic — Louvet's  sus- 
picions not  shared  by  his  colleagues — Their  apathy  and  gulli- 
bility— Louvet's  political  acumen — Moore's  opinion — Robes- 
pierre the  idol  of  the  mob — Louvet  prepares  his  Robespierride 

95 

CHAPTER   X 

Roland's  report  on  the  state  of  Paris — Alleged  plot  to  murder 
the  Girondist  leaders,  and  to  appoint  Robespierre  dictator — Robes- 
pierre defends  himself — He  grows  eloquent  about  his  own 
virtues — Dares  anyone  to  denounce  him — Louvet  takes  up  the 
gauntlet — Robespierre  is  disconcerted — Louvet's  great  oration 
— Robespierre  loses  his  nerve,  and  is  unable  to  reply — His  friends 
save  him — Effect  of  Louvet's  eloquence — Scene  at  the  Jacobin 
Club 102 

CHAPTER   XI 

Robespierre  defends  himself  against  Louvet's  accusation — His 
popularity  with  the  women  of  Paris — The  galleries  packed — 
Louvet  is  prevented  from  replying — Uproar  in  the  Convention 
— The  diplomatic  Barere — His  peculiar  talents — His  character — 
Lethargy  of  Louvet's  colleagues — Decline  of  the  Gironde — Louvet 
issues  a  pamphlet — A  number  of  La  Sentinellc  .  .  .114 

CHAPTER  XII 

Barbaroux  proposes  drastic  measures — Girondists  jealous  of  the 
domination  of  Paris — The  Mountain  charge  them  with  Federalism 
— Were  they  Federalists  ? — Hebert  employed  to  calumniate  the 
Girondists — Le  Phe  Duchesne — Origin — The  real  Hebert — A 
specimen  number  of  the  P2re  Duchesne — Hebert's  vile  attack  on 
Mme.  Roland  and  Louvet  .  .  .  .  .  .  .128 

CHAPTER  XIII 

Debate  on  the  King's  trial — Views  of  the  Girondists — Policy  of 
the  Mountain — Danton's  brutal  frankness — Louis  at  the  bar 
of  the  Convention — Marat's  admission — The  King's  ironical 
observation  to  Coulombeau — Salle's  motion — Gensonne's  sarcasm 
— The  geese  of  the  Capitol — Louvet  rebukes  Danton — Trial  of 
the  King — Scene  in  the  Convention — The  voting — Vergniaud 
declares  the  result — The  death  sentence — A  king's  tragedy — 
Disunion  in  the  Girondist  ranks,  and  its  causes — Strength  of 
the  Mountain 136 

xiii 


CONTENTS 

CHAPTER  XIV 

A  war  of  extermination — Mot  of  Sieyes — The  Girondists  fast  lose 
ground — Their  attempts  to  recover  their  popularity — Buzot's 
opinion  of  the  Sovereign  People — Disgraceful  scenes  in  the 
Convention — Dumouriez  complains  of  the  Jacobin  agents  in 
Belgium — He  arrests  two  Government  commissioners — His 
disastrous  reverses — How  Paris  received  the  news — Peculiarities 
of  the  Gallic  temperament — Caesar's  shrewd  observations — 
Riots  in  Paris — Mob  destroy  Girondist  printing-presses — The 
Revolutionary  Tribunal — Conspiracy  of  March  loth  foiled  by 
Lodoiska — Her  heroism — Louvet  warns  his  colleagues — Petion's 
phlegm 148 

CHAPTER  XV 

Vergniaud  denounces  the  conspiracy — His  eloquence — Louvet's 
dissatisfaction — Vergniaud's  strange  reply — Louvet  discusses 
the  situation  with  Lodoiska — He  publishes  another  pamphlet — 
The  Committee  of  Public  Safety — Treason  of  Dumouriez — 
Danton  attempts  to  conciliate  the  Girondists — They  reject  his 
overtures — His  furious  outburst — First  attack  on  the  Girondists 
from  without — Robespierre  follows  up  the  attack — Vergniaud's 
crushing  rejoinder  .  .  .  ...  .  .  .  .  160 

CHAPTER   XVI 

A  quarrel — Guadet — Impeachment  of  Marat — His  acquittal — 
Commune  demands  expulsion  of  the  Girondist  leaders — Masuyer's 
jest,  and  what  it  cost  him — Commune  levies  a  forced  loan — 
Second  plot  to  murder  the  Girondist  leaders — They  order  the 
arrest  of  Hebert  and  his  associates — The  Commune  demands 
their  release — Isnard's  famous  rebuke — Herault  de  Sechelles — 
Release  of  prisoners — Insurrection  of  May  3ist — Louvet  and  his 
friends  in  hiding — They  proceed  armed  to  the  Convention — 
Guadet  apostrophises  Danton — A  stormy  sitting — The  Conven- 
tion is  coerced  by  the  mob — Temporary  failure  of  the  insur- 
rection   170 

CHAPTER  XVII 

Arrest  of  Mme.  Roland — Witticism  on  Roland's  flight — The 
threatened  Deputies  meet  for  the  last  time — Louvet  states  his 
views — He  joins  Lodoiska — A  terrible  night — Louvet  in  hiding 
— Insurrection  of  June  2nd — The  Convention  imprisoned  by  the 
mob — The  Assembly  seeks  the  protection  of  the  soldiers,  but  is 
driven  back — Thirty-one  Girondists  placed  under  arrest — Letter 
from  Barbaroux — Why  they  refused  to  escape — Downfall  of  the 
Girondists — Their  eloquence — General  view  of  the  feud  between 
the  Mountain  and  the  Gironde 183 

xiv 


CONTENTS 

CHAPTER  XVIII 

Buzot  and  Barbaroux  escape  to  Caen — A  letter  from  Barbaroux — 
Generosity  of  Valaz6 — A  common  error  rectified — Mme.  Goussard 
— Lodoiska  bears  letters  from  Mme.  Roland  to  Buzot — Louvet 
and  Lodoiska  leave  Paris  secretly — Their  journey  to  6vreux — 
They  meet  Guadet — Lodoiska  returns  to  Paris — Mme.  Roland 
pities  Lodoiska — Louvet  and  Guadet  reach  Caen — General 
Wimpfen — The  Girondists  organize  an  insurrection — Their 
official  residence — Mme.  Roland  on  Louvet's  style — Barbaroux 
and  the  Marquise — Mme.  Roland's  disapproval — Louvet  diverts 
his  friends — "  The  Angel  of  Assassination  " — Her  'farewell  letter 
— Petion's  little  joke — Louvet's  opinion  of  Charlotte  Corday 
— Girondists  not  implicated  in  the  assassination  of  Marat — 
Puisaye's  attack  on  Vernon — "  A  battle  without  tears  " — End 
of  the  Girondist  rising  in  Normandy 200 

CHAPTER  XIX 

Outlawed — Flight  of  the  proscribed  Deputies — They  reach  Vire 
— Lodoiska  joins  Louvet — Their  marriage — The  Deputies  set 
out  for  Quimper — What  happened  to  them  at  D61 — A  midnight 
alarm — Lodoiska  proceeds  alone  to  Quimper — Louvet's  com- 
panions— A  hostile  town — Riouffe  is  detained — His  escape — 
Boetidoux  the  Royalist — He  befriends  the  fugitives — Louvet  in- 
clines to  suspicion  — The  outlaws  are  recognized — A  trying 
ordeal — A  quiet  night  and  another  alarm  .  .  .  .221 

CHAPTER  XX 

The  flight  continued — In  the  name  of  the  law  ! — A  game  of  bluff 
— The  Girondists  fix  bayonets — Louvet  explains  a  point  of 
caligraphy — Dansons  la  Carmagnole  I — A  terrible  march — 
Louvet  drinks  with  mine  host,  and  gets  news — The  fugitives 
reach  Carhaix — What  befel  them  there — Their  miserable  plight 
— They  reach  Quimper — Arrest  and  escape  of  Lodoiska  .  231 

CHAPTER  XXI 

A  humane  priest — Mme.  Roland's  last  letter  to  Buzot — The  out- 
laws separate — Barbaroux  down  with  the  smallpox — Lodoiska's 
harbour  of  refuge — Louvet's  hiding-place — An  expansive  lover 
— The  delights  of  Penhars — Seven  of  the  outlaws  sail  for  Bor- 
deaux— What  happened  to  them — Louvet's  change  of  residence 
— He  composes  his  Hymne  a  la  Mart — A  dramatic  exit — Louvet 
meets  an  "  admirable  Crichton  " — Lodoiska  returns  to  Paris — 
A  dash  for  the  sea — Suspense — The  outlaws  search  for  their 

XV 


CONTENTS 

ship  in  an  open  boat — A  sleepless  night — The  good  ship 
Industrie — A  dour  Scot — The  fugitives  run  the  gauntlet  of  the 
Brest  fleet — They  prepare  for  a  fight — A  mutinous  crew — 
Grainger  lies  stoutly — The  white  cliffs  of  Saintonge — The  Giron- 
dists escape  in  the  ship's  boat — Perilous  seas — The  promised 
land,  and  what  they  found  there 242 

CHAPTER  XXII 

Guadet's  imprudence — Too  late  ! — Petion  and  Guadet  spy  out 
the  land — Bordeaux  under  the  Terror — Guadet  goes  to  Saint- 
lEmilion — Denounced — They  barricade  themselves  in  a  house — 
Ominous  preparations — A  narrow  escape — The  sleeping  sentinel 
— A  hot  pursuit — The  outlaws  separate — A  terrible  fortnight — 
Adventures  of  Louvet,  Barbaroux  and  Valady — Louvet  meets 
with  an  accident — Life  in  a  hayloft — The  coming  of  a  heroine 
— Mme.  Bouquey  welcomes  the  outlaws — Their  life  in  the 
caverns  of  Saint-^milion — Execution  of  twenty-one  Girondists 
in  Paris — Death  of  Mme.  Roland — Buzot's  despair — Mme* 
Bouquey  in  tears — She  is  forced  to  part  with  the  outlaws — 
Her  sacrifice  and  death 257 

CHAPTER  XXIII 

The  Girondists'  Odyssey  continued — Louvet  bids  farewell  to  Bar- 
baroux, Buzot  and  Petion — Valady's  fate — Louvet  accompanies 
Guadet  and  Salle — They  hide  in  a  cave — Guadet  tries  the 
quality  of  a  friend — Louvet  is  taken  ill — The  closed  door — 
Guadet's  despair — Louvet's  resolution — He  sets  out  alone  for 
Paris — Arrest  and  execution  of  Salle  and  Guadet — The  fate 
of  the  Guadet  family — Providential  escape  of  the  Deputy's 
wife — The  last  days  of  Barbaroux,  Buzot  and  Petion — Agony 
and  death  of  Barbaroux — Suicide  of  Buzot  and  Petion .  .  275 

CHAPTER  XXIV 

Louvet  reaches  Montpont — Negotiating  a  sentry — A  critical 
moment — Qui  vive  ! — Fabricating  a  passport — Crippled  with 
rheumatism — A  sympathetic  landlady — An  embarrassing  compli- 
ment— He  steals  through  Mussidan — Almost  collapses  on  the 
road — He  falls  among  enemies — A  churlish  innkeeper  and  his 
wife — Louvet  plays  the  sans-culotte — He  prepares  for  the  worst 
— Hoodwinking  the  Mayor — The  Procureur-Syndic — Louvet 
calls  for  more  wine — The  passport — A  desperate  game — The 
landlady  loses  her  blood  money — Louvet  breathes  freely  again  — 
Another  hostile  innkeeper — Louvet  is  befriended  by  a  carrier 

xvi 


CONTENTS 

— A  restless  night  and  a  hopeless  dawn — He  overtakes  the 
carrier — He  accepts  a  seat  in  the  cart — An  explanation — A 
sudden  peril,  and  how  he  met  it — Louvet's  "  passport  " — The 
carrier  uses  his  whip •  283 

CHAPTER  XXV 

Louvet  and  his  companion  reach  Limoges — The  carrier's  home 
— His  wife's  trick — Louvet  is  passed  on  to  another  carrier — 
His  new  companions — At  the  mercy  of  strangers — A  piquant 
situation — He  wins  the  good-will  of  his  fellow-passengers — 
A  dangerous  meeting — Louvet's  coolness — Incident  at  Argenton 
— The  Jacobin  agent's  missed  opportunity — Louvet  hears  bad 
news — His  fears  for  Lodoiska's  safety — Bitter  reflections  on 
reaching  Orleans — Stopped  at  the  barrier — He  gives  himself  up 
for  lost — A  hairbreadth  escape — Adventure  of  the  inquisitive 
Jacobin — Another  narrow  escape — He  watches  the  triumph 
of  an  enemy — In  the  midst  of  alarms — Longjumeau — Strange 
incident  at  a  table  d'hote — He  hears  one  of  his  own  songs — 
Paris  at  last 297 

CHAPTER  XXVI 

Louvet  searches  for  Lodoi'ska — Reunion — Deserted  by  their 
friends — Bremont  gives  them  half  an  hour  in  which  to  leave  his 
house — Barbarity  of  this  decision  — They  decide  to  die  together 
— Louvet's  bold  course — Lodoiska's  plan — Her  ascendancy, 
and  how  she  maintained  it — Louvet's  romanticism — A  fresh 
asylum — Lodoiska  builds  a  secret  chamber — Faint-hearted  friends 
— Lodo'iska  plans  Louvet's  escape — His  letter — He  leaves  Paris 
in  disguise — He  is  detained  by  a  Government  official — A 
momentous  interview — An  unknown  friend — Louvet  reaches 
the  Jura  Mountains — Homesickness — Anxiety  on  account  of 
Lodoiska — His  imagination  plays  him  tricks — Schemes  of 
vengeance — Safe  arrival  of  Lodoiiska — They  suffer  many  petty 
persecutions — Their  wanderings  in  search  of  a  lodging — A  folk- 
moot — Louvet  pleads  with  the  village  magnates — Lodoiska  bears 
him  a  son — The  fall  of  Robespierre 309 

CHAPTER  XXVII 

Louvet  returns  with  his  family  to  Paris — A  financial  crisis — He 
opens  a  bookseller's  shop — And  publishes  some  famous  books 
— A  visit  from  Wolfe  Tone — Social  successes  of  Louvet  and 
Lodoiska — Their  popularity — Louise  Fusil  describes  their  per 
sonal  appearance — They  dine  with  the  Talmas — Louvet  re- 
sumes his  seat  in  the  Convention — He  defends  the  Girondists' 

xvii  B 


CONTENTS 

memory — Refuses  to  join  in  the  proscription  of  his  enemies — 
His  growing  influence — Speech  on  the  trial  of  the  extremists — 
Insurrection  of  the  Prairial — A  terrible  sitting — Murder  of  the 
deputy  Feraud — Lodoiska  again  saves  her  husband's  life — The 
end  of  the  Mountain — Louvet's  funeral  oration  on  F6raud — 
He  is  elected  President — Notre  Dame  de  Thermidor  gives  a 
f/te — Louvet's  toast — Reaction — Failing  health — Cowardly  attack 
on  Lodoiska — Louvet's  contempt  for  his  enemies — His  death 
— Lodoiska  poisons  herself,  but  recovers — Her  last  years — 
Louvet's  son,  grandson,  and  grand-daughter  .  .  .  325 

BIBLIOGRAPHY       .       .       .       .       ,       .       .       .        •        •    349 
INDEX 355 


xvin 


LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS 

JEAN  BAPTISTE  LOUVET.     From  an  engraving  by 
F.  Bonneville      .....         Frontispiece 

Facing  page 

BRISSOT.  From  an  engraving  by  Levachez  .  .  58 
VERGNIAUD.  From  lithograph  by  Delpech,  after  a 

drawing  by  Maurier    ......       62 

CAMILLE  DESMOULINS.  From  an  engraving  by 

Levachez  .          .         .         .         .          .  .68 

MADAME  ROLAND.  From  an  engraving  by  Baudran, 

after  the  portrait  carried  by  Buzot  ...  80 
TALMA.  From  an  engraving  by  Henry  Meyer,  after 

a  painting  by  J.  P.  Davis  .  .  .  .  .90 
JEAN  PAUL  MARAT.  From  an  engraving  by 

Levachez  ........       92 

MAXIMILIEN  ROBESPIERRE.  From  an  engraving  by 

Levachez  ........     114 

ROLAND.  From  an  engraving  by  J.  E.  Bolt  .  .  132 
MARGUERITE  ELIE  GUADET.  From  an  engraving  by 

Sandoz,  after  a  painting  by  F.  Bonneville  .  .  140 
ARMAND  GENSONNE.  From  an  engraving  by 

Levachez  ........     140 

DANTON.  From  an  engraving  by  Levachez  .  .  166 
JEROME  PETION.  From  an  engraving  by  Levachez  .  170 
BARBAROUX.  From  an  engraving  by  Baudran  .  200 
CHARLOTTE  CORDAY.  From  an  engraving  by 

Levachez  ........     210 

MADAME  BOUQUEY.  From  an  engraving  by  Baudran, 

after  the  painting  by  Yvon .....  266 
BUZOT.  From  an  engraving  by  Baudran,  after  the 

portrait  carried  by  Madame  Roland  .  .  .  282 
MADAME  TALLIEN.  From  an  engraving  by  J.  C. 

Armytage,  after  a  painting  by  J.  Masquerier  .  340 

xix 


LOU VET: 

Revolutionist  and  Romance- Writer 

CHAPTER  I 

French  society  in  1760 — Birth  of  Louvet — His  parentage — His 
first  adventure — An  early  Republican — A  boy  and  girl  love 
affair — The  coming  of  Lodoiska — Her  marriage — Louvet's  despair 
— Influence  of  Voltaire  and  Rousseau — First  literary  success — 
He  becomes  a  publisher's  clerk — And  is  admitted  avocat — 
"  Studied  ease  "  on  ^33  a  year — Was  Louvet  of  noble  descent  ? 
— What  he  has  to  say  on  the  subject — His  double,  Pierre  Florent 
Louvet — He  completes  Faublas — His  method  of  work — He  is 
joined  by  Lodoiska — Origin  of  her  name — Great  success  of 
Faublas — Kemble's  melodrama  Lodoiska. 

FRANCE  was  in  a  bad  way.  The  guns  were  still 
booming  in  the  disastrous  Seven  Years'  War, 
and  the  widows  and  orphans  of  the  men  who  fell 
at  Minden  and  Rossbach  were  scarcely  out  of  mourn- 
ing, when  news  came  of  that  short  and  bloody  conflict 
on  the  Plains  of  Quebec,  which  cost  France  half  a 
continent  and,  victors  and  vanquished  alike,  the  life 
of  a  great  hero. 

And  at  Versailles,  Louis  the  Well-Beloved,  an  old 
man  before  his  time,  perverse,  sad-eyed,  and  bored 
to  death,  lolled  on  the  throne  of  his  fathers,  playing 
at  love,  the  devil  finding  evil  enough  for  his  idle 
hands  to  do.  Ostensibly  the  absolute  master  of 

I  i 


LOUVET 

some  twenty-five  million  subjects,  he  was  in  reality 
an  abject  slave  of  the  petticoat — a  puppet  manipu- 
lated for  the  past  fifteen  years  by  a  small,  elegant, 
and  slightly  cross-eyed  woman  (if  we  may  trust  the 
portrait  by  Boucher),  of  infinite  tact  and  subtlety, 
who  made  and  unmade  treaties  and  alliances,  raised 
and  deposed  ministers  and  generals,  organized  defeat 
by  dictating  from  her  boudoir  plans  of  battle  for  the 
French  armies  in  the  field,  and  ground  the  people 
to  the  dust  beneath  her  little  red-heeled  shoe.  After 
the  disaster  at  Rossbach,  there  had  been  riots  at 
Paris  to  secure  the  dismissal  of  her  nominee,  the  back- 
stairs general  the  Prince  de  Soubise,  whose  military 
reverses,  celebrated  throughout  Europe,  had  assured 
him  in  his  rank  and  firmly  established  his  renown. 

For  a  moment  her  empire  had  trembled  in  the 
balance ;  but,  with  characteristic  tenacity,  she  had 
insisted  on  maintaining  her  friend  in  his  command, 
and  had  in  the  end  got  her  way.  Brilliant,  witty, 
graceful,  an  artist  to  her  finger-tips,  she  devoted  her 
great  talents  to  the  amusement  of  the  blase  monarch, 
and  shrank  from  no  iniquity  to  achieve  this  object. 

Never  were  the  social  gifts  of  urbanity,  courtesy 
and  grace  carried  to  a  higher  pitch  than  under  the 
reign  of  the  incomparable  Marquise.  No  longer 
beautiful,  her  person  had  ceased  to  attract  the  King, 
but  her  voice  alone  could  soothe  and  charm  away 
those  terrible  fits  of  depression  to  which  he  was 
becoming  more  and  more  a  prey.  In  1760,  of  which 
year  I  write,  she  acted  in  no  more  intimate  capacity 
than  that  which  a  modern  dramatist  has  designated 
as  "  Mrs.  Warren's  profession."  She  maintained  her 

2 


LOUVET 

ascendancy  to  the  last.  Though  Madame  de  Pompa- 
dour would  have  been  described  by  Saint-Simon 
as  a  lady  de  moyenne  vertu,  she  nevertheless  had  her 
good  points ;  she  was  devoted  to  her  daughter ; 
she  was  admirably  loyal  to  her  friends ;  she  caused 
Cre"billon  fits  to  be  banished  for  writing  Les  Egare- 
ments  du  cceur  et  de  Pesprit  ;*  and  her  private  apart- 
ments were  decorated  by  Boucher. 

Around  these  two  figures  circled  a  thousand  or  two 
charming  women  and  free-and-easy  carpet  knights, 
who  spent  a  great  deal  of  their  time  in  witty  conversa- 
tion, varied  by  games  of  love  and  chance  ;  and,  since 
the  profits  of  the  card-table  are  at  best  uncertain, 
they  devoted  their  spare  energies  to  intriguing  for 
office. 

The  frivolity  and  license  of  the  court  had  spread 
even  to  the  Church.  The  Bishop  of  Be"ziers,  we  hear, 
having  a  mind  to  visit  his  niece  with  as  little  incon- 
venience as  possible,  cut  a  road  at  the  expense  of  the 
province,  through  a  neighbouring  farm,  and  when 
the  owner  protested,  not  only  forced  him  to  sell  his 
property  at  a  great  loss,  but  hounded  him  out  of  the 
country.  Nor  was  the  custom  of  taking  unto  them- 
selves nieces  confined  to  the  prelates ;  it  soon  became 
a  common  practice  among  the  lesser  clergy.  During 
the  Revolution  the  Abbe  Delille,  for  instance,  met  a 
young  woman  at  Stuttgart  whom  he  brought  to 
Paris  to  keep  house  for  him.  Her  education  had  been 
sadly  neglected,  and  when  Rivarol  visited  the  pair, 

*  Not,  we  suspect,  because  she  was  shocked  by  the  impropriety 
of  that  frigid  fiction,  although  that  was  the  pretext,  but  because 
she  saw  in  it  certain  shrewd  home-thrusts  at  herself. 

3  I* 


LOUVET 

her  behaviour  displeased  the  guest  so  much  that  he 
said  to  his  host : 

"  Since  you  were  able  to  choose  your  niece,  I  think 
you  might  have  made  a  better  choice." 

"  Poverty  and  privilege,"  says  Arthur  Young, 
"  divided  the  realm  "  ;  and  peculation  in  high  places 
went  naked  and  unashamed.  France  was  in  a  very 
bad  way. 

Rousseau  was  putting  the  finishing  touches  to  the 
Nouvelle  Heloi'se,  and  had  already  sketched  out  the 
first  chapters  of  Emile,  when,  in  a  house  at  the  corner 
of  the  Rue  des  Ecrivains  in  Paris,  a  weak  and  sickly 
infant  announced  his  advent  in  the  manner  of  his 
kind.  It  was  the  i2th  June,  1760,  and  the  child 
afterwards  answered  to  the  name  of  Jean  Baptiste. 
He  was  the  youngest  son  of  Louis  Lou  vet,  stationer, 
and  of  Louise  his  wife.  This  frail  boy  was  destined 
to  become,  first,  the  sprightly  historian  and  critic  of 
the  gay  and  decadent  society  (with  all  its  morbid  and 
intoxicating  charm)  that  moved  around  the  reigning 
favourite  ;  and  later,  one  of  the  boldest  and  most 
uncompromising  reformers  of  its  abuses. 

Lou  vet  p&re  is  described  byMercier  as  "an  ignorant 
and  brutal  shopkeeper,"  and  is  referred  to  by  others 
who  knew  him  in  equally  uncomplimentary  terms.* 
He  was  a  hard-headed  business  man,  coarse  and 
tyrannical,  who,  failing  to  understand  the  refined 
and  sentimental  vein  in  his  son's  nature,  generally 
treated  him  with  irritability  and  contempt.  His 
mother,  on  the  other  hand,  was  of  a  gentle  and  sym- 

*  Mercier,  Nouveau  Paris,  ii.,  p.  473. 

4 


LOUVET 

pathetic  temper,  and  Jean  Baptiste  always  spoke  of 
her  with  the  greatest  veneration.  To  her  he  probably 
owed  those  remarkable  qualities  of  mind  and  heart 
for  which  he  was  afterwards  famous.  He  was  his 
mother's  favourite.  We  learn  that  much  of  his 
boyhood  was  rendered  miserable  through  the  syste- 
matic persecution  of  a  brother,  six  years  older  than 
himself,  although  no  word  of  complaint  against  his 
tyrant  passed  his  lips.  He  consoled  himself  by 
occasionally  giving  his  brother  a  good  drubbing — the 
battle  being  not  always  to  the  strong,  nor  the  race  to 
the  swift. 

During  these  early  years,  Jean  Baptiste,  being  of 
a  frail  constitution,  was  sent  to  bed  very  early,  in 
his  mother's  dressing-room,  situated  on  the  first 
floor ;  whilst  his  more  robust  brothers  enjoyed  them- 
selves in  an  attic  on  the  fourth  storey  at  the  top  of 
the  house. 

Tired  to  death  of  these  domestic  arrangements, 
he  cast  about  for  a  means  of  escape  from  his 
boredom,  and  being  even  at  that  time  of  an  inven- 
tive turn,  he  had  soon  arranged  his  plan.  Taking 
advantage  of  a  little  roof,  almost  on  a  level  with 
the  window  of  his  mother's  room,  he  persuaded  his 
brothers  to  let  down  a  rope  from  their  window,  which 
he  grasped  firmly  in  both  hands,  and  at  a  given  signal 
they  hauled  him  up  to  the  top  of  the  house.  At  ten 
o'clock,  when  they  heard  the  rest  of  the  household 
preparing  to  retire  for  the  night,  his  brothers .  care- 
fully dropped  little  Jean  on  to  the  roof  below,  whence 
he  could  easily  climb  into  his  mother's  window. 

This  sport  lasted  for  several  months.  One  night, 

5 


LOUVET 

however,  in  mid-winter,  when  there  had  been  a 
snow-storm  followed  by  a  hard  frost,  in  attempting 
to  regain  his  bedroom  in  the  usual  way,  the  boy's 
naked  foot  slipped  on  the  frozen  snow,  and  he  fell 
from  the  roof  to  the  pavement  below.  He  lay  there 
unconscious  the  whole  night  long.  In  the  morning 
he  was  discovered  lying  at  full  length  before  the  front 
door,  covered  with  snow  and  ice.  It  was  found  that 
he  had  broken  no  bones,  and,  indeed,  appeared  to  be 
little  the  worse  for  his  adventure.  With  that  staunch 
loyalty  and  tenacity  of  purpose  so  characteristic  of 
his  whole  life,  he  refused  to  explain  how  the  accident 
had  happened ;  and  his  mother,  who  shared  his  confi- 
dence in  all  else,  died  without  knowing  the  secret.* 

In  spite  of  his  father's  coldness  and  the  continual 
bullying  of  his  brother,  young  Jean  Baptiste's  boyhood 
was  not  wholly  devoid  of  happiness.  This  he  owed 
chiefly  to  the  kindness  of  some  friends  of  his  parents 
named  Denuelle.  The  boy  spent  many  a  delightful 
hour  in  the  society  of  M.  Denuelle,  a  level-headed, 
well-read  man,  who  soon  inspired  him  with  his  own 
enthusiasm  for  that  eighteenth  century  philosophy 
which  was  destined  in  the  fullness  of  time  to  set  the 
world  on  fire.  M.  Denuelle  was  one  of  the  first  to 
profess  republican  opinions,  and  there  is  little  doubt 
that  he  had  a  profound  influence  on  the  impressionable 
mind  of  his  young  friend.  It  was,  however,  a  still 
more  powerful  attraction  which  drew  the  boy's  steps 
daily  to  the  Denuelle's  house.  They  had  a  little 
daughter,  Marguerite,  born  eight  days  before  himself, 

*  From  notes  supplied  by  Louvet's  widow  to  RiouSe  for  his 
Oraison  Fitnebre  sur  Louvet. 

6 


LOUVET 

who  had  been  his  playmate  as  long  as  he  could 
remember,  and  whom,  as  long  as  he  could  remember, 
he  had  passionately  loved.*  Even  at  this  tender  age, 
Marguerite  showed  sweetness  of  temper,  combined  with 
a  singular  firmness  of  will,  and  that  active,  managing 
disposition  which  distinguished  her  throughout  her 
chequered  career. 

She  returned  the  enterprising  Jean  Baptiste's 
affection  with  a  love  stronger  than  death.  Some 
years  later  he  rewarded  her  devotion  by  spreading 
her  fame  abroad  in  the  land  as  Lodoiska,  the 
heroine  of  a  long  episode  in  his  Faublas,  whilst  his 
eternal  singing  of  her  virtues,  her  talents,  and  her 
charms,  more  creditable  to  his  affection  than  to  his 
discretion,  ended  by  making  the  poor  lady  slightly 
ridiculous. 

For  the  present,  it  is  enough  that  the  children 
were  perfectly  happy  in  each  other's  society,  and  it 
never  occurred  to  them  that  one  day  they  would 
probably  be  separated.  But  when  Marguerite  was 
sixteen  years  old,  a  Monsieur  Cholet,  a  rich  jeweller 
of  the  Palais  Royal,  made  a  formal  proposal  to 
her  parents  for  her  hand. 

When  the  news  reached  her,  she  told  her  parents 
that  she  was  betrothed  to  Louvet,  and  begged  them 
with  tears  in  her  eyes  not  to  consider  the  proposal.  But 
whether  the  offer  of  the  Sieur  Cholet  was  too  tempting, 
or  whether  they  thought  Louvet  an  excellent  play- 
mate, but  too  feckless  a  youth  as  a  possible  husband 
for  their  daughter,  they  turned  a  deaf  ear  to  her 
supplications.  In  spite  of  her  tears  and  reproaches, 

*  Vatel,  Charlotte  de  Cor  day  et  les  Girondins,  iii.,  p.  500  et  seq. 

7 


LOUVET 

she  was  forcibly  married  to  a  man  almost  old  enough 
to  have  been  her  grandfather. 

Louvet,  in  despair,  threw  himself  into  a  course  of 
hard  reading  by  way  of  distraction.  It  was  at  this 
time  that  he  fell  completely  under  the  spell  of  Rous- 
seau and  the  prophets.  Their  doctrines,  and  especially 
those  of  Voltaire  and  the  arch-sophist  of  Geneva, 
had  a  deep  influence  on  his  life  both  as  a  man  of 
letters  and  as  a  political  leader.  From  them  he  learnt 
that  pathetic  solicitude  for  the  welfare  of  the  human 
race,  and  for  the  future  generations  of  mankind, 
which  the  revolutionary  politician  thought  too  vital 
a  matter  to  be  entrusted  to  an  unassisted  Providence. 
The  fundamental  error  which  vitiates  their  whole 
system  of  thought  is  their  insistence  on  the  cardinal 
importance  of  the  rights  of  man,  whilst  they  practically 
ignored  the  duties  and  services  which  those  rights 
enjoin.  The  political  consequences  of  this  doctrine 
may  be  seen  in  the  ever-growing  tendency  of  the 
nation  to  impute  the  natural  results  of  their  own 
imprudences  and  errors  of  judgment  to  the  vicious- 
ness  of  their  political  institutions ;  and  gradually 
transformed  them  from  a  docile  and  law-abiding 
nation  into  a  people  whom 

"  No  king  could  govern,  nor  no  god  could  please." 

The  Contrat  Social  and  the  Essai  sur  Flnegalite 
fiarmi  les  Hommes  taught  them  to  seek  for  the  rights 
of  man  and  social  perfection  in  the  state  of  nature, 
and  for  all  virtue  and  happiness  in  the  breast  of  the 
unsophisticated  savage.  The  theory  would  be  ludi- 
crous were  it  not  pernicious.  But  no  amount  of 

8 


LOUVET 

evidence  could  convince  these  men  of  this  transparent 
fallacy. 

The  works  of  travellers  and  explorers,  describing 
the  conditions  of  uncivilized  life,  which  they  eagerly 
read,  taught  them  nothing.  They  resolutely  blinded 
themselves  to  the  obvious  fact  that  no  man  is  born 
virtuous ;  he  either  becomes  so  or  grows  from  bad 
to  worse. 

They  pointed  to  the  courtesan  as  the  natural 
product  of  civilization.  Another  fallacy:  it  is 
the  virtuous  woman  who  is  the  product  of 
civilization.  Such  palpable  truths,  however,  inter- 
fered with  their  beautiful  theories,  and  they  sought 
to  evade  by  ignoring  them,  "  Men  as  they  are  did 
not  concern  them ;  their  business  was  with  men  in 
general,  as  they  ought  to  be  on  leaving  the  hands  of 
Nature " — with  the  creatures  they  evolved  from 
their  inner  consciousness  in  all  the  nakedness  of  meta- 
physical abstraction.  In  their  conception,  "  men  are 
all  fashioned  after  one  pattern,  and  society  consists 
of  so  many  human  units,  all  alike  equal  and  inde- 
pendent, contracting  together  for  the  first  time."* 
There  were  more  things  in  this  theory  than  Rousseau 
dreamed  of  in  his  philosophy.  This  doctrine,  corrupt- 
ing barren  and  narrow  minds  incapable  of  seeing  facts 
behind  words,  was  largely  responsible  for  the  power 
of  the  rabble  during  the  Reign  of  Terror.  For  when 
an  abstract  idea,  such  as  the  rights  of  man  and  popular 
sovereignty,  once  takes  possession  of  a  mind  which 
has  attained  to  a  perfection  of  moral  and  intellectual 
sterility  equal  to  Robespierre's,  it  will  soon  drive 

*  Taine. 

9 


LOUVET 

out  all  other  ideas  and  reign  there  alone.  With  that 
arrogance  and  self-sufficiency  peculiar  to  those  who 
have  never  experienced  a  wisdom  greater  than  their 
own,  such  men  will  believe  themselves  the  god-sent 
types  of  absolute  virtue  and  incorruptibility.  Hence 
they  will  accept  the  wickedness  of  all  who  differ  from 
them  in  their  opinions  as  a  self-evident  truth  ;  whilst 
those  who  presume  to  question  the  propriety  of  their 
acts,  immediately  fall  under  suspicion  of  being  friends 
of  tyranny,  and  they  will  denounce  them,  in  all 
sincerity,  as  bad  citizens  and  sworn  foes  of  mankind. 

There  is  little  doubt  that,  had  he  lived  long  enough, 
Rousseau,  whose  name  was  ever  on  the  lips  of  these 
demagogues,  would  have  died  on  the  scaffold  as  an 
anti-revolutionist,  for  he  had  said  one  drop  of  blood 
was  too  dear  a  price  to  pay  for  a  revolution ;  and  it 
is  equally  certain  Voltaire  would  have  met  with  the 
same  fate,  for  having  taught  that  the  worst  of  all 
governments  is  mob  government. 

Louvet  also  accepted  these  doctrines ;  but  his 
romanticism,  and,  above  all,  his  sense  of  humour, 
saved  him  from  attempting  to  carry  them  to  their 
logical  conclusion.  He  did  not  allow  these  abstract 
principles  to  occupy  his  mind  entirely.  He  was  an 
artist  before  he  was  a  philosopher,  and  his  art  kept  him 
in  touch  with  his  fellows. 

Paris  was  ringing  with  the  news  of  the  insurgent 
victories  in  the  American  War  of  Independence,  and 
Mirabeau,  from  his  cell  at  Vincennes,  was  writing 
in  blood  and  tears  those  heartrending  letters  to  Sophie 
de  Monnier,  when  our  hero,  seventeen  years  of  age, 
became  secretary  to  P.  F.  de  Dietrich,  the  eminent 

10 


LOUVET 

mineralogist.*  It  was  whilst  in  this  position  that  he 
made  his  debut  as  a  man  of  letters,  by  writing  a  memoir 
on  a  poor  servant  girl  who  went  out  nursing  in  order 
to  support  her  mistress  and  two  daughters,  when 
they  had  been  suddenly  reduced  to  penury.  This 
memoir  succeeded  in  obtaining  for  his  client  the  prize 
for  virtue,  which  had  a  few  weeks  before  been  instituted 
by  the  Baron  de  Monty  on  in  connection  with  the 
Academie  Francaise. 

He  next  engaged  himself  to  Prault,  the  publisher  of 
much  of  the  light  literature  of  the  age.  Here  his  time 
was  not  wasted ;  he  mastered  every  detail  connected 
with  the  production  of  books,  and  perfected  himself 
in  his  art.  He  also  read  for  the  law,  and  was  admitted 
avocat. 

"  Tout  notaire  a  reve  des  sultanes"  wrote  Flaubert 
in  Madame  Bovary.  The  malady  is  not  peculiar 
to  notaries.  No  youth  with  a  touch  of  poetry  in  him 
escapes  the  infection.  It  is  a  distemper  inseparable 
from  growth.  Scanty  as  is  our  information  on  these 
years,  one  thing  we  do  know — il  revait  des  sultanes. 
The  proof  is  in  Faublas,  the  romance  he  was  now 
ruminating.  He  was  twenty-six  years  of  age,  and 
had  already  acquired  by  his  industry  a  small  income 
which  enabled  him  to  live  in  the  country.  "  I  had," 
he  says,  "  laid  aside  the  luxuries  dear  to  youth,  and 
had  attained  independence  by  circumscribing  my 
wants.  My  expenses  were  limited  to  800  livres 
(about  £  33)  a  year." 

The  first  part  of  the  book,  entitled  Les  Amours  du 

*  During  the  Revolution,  he  became  Mayor  of  Strasbourg,  and  it 
was  at  his  house  that  the  Marseillaise  was  first  sung. 

II 


LOUVET 

Chevalier  de  Faublas,  consisting  of  seven  neat  little 
volumes,  probably  "set  up "  and  printed  by  the 
author's  own  hand,  and  on  sale  at  his  house  in  the 
Rue  Quincampoix,  appeared  in  the  spring  of  1786. 
Its  success  was  immediate.  Nor  is  this  to  be  wondered 
at,  for  the  public  was  beginning  to  be  bored  to  death 
by  the  long-drawn  sighs  of  Heloise,  the  laborious 
sentimentality  of  Mercier,  and  even  by  the  delicate 
indelicacies  of  Crebillon  fils. 

The  most  cursory  examination  of  the  pages  of 
Faublas  will  convince  the  reader  that  whatever 
Louvet  may  have  been  by  conviction,  he  was  certainly 
an  aristocrat  by  temperament.  One  of  the  most 
remarkable  features  of  the  book  is  its  author's  deep 
and  sympathetic  insight  into  the  hearts  and  souls  of 
those  elegant  gentlemen  and  dainty  ladies  who  flut- 
tered round  the  throne,  and  lightly  ransacked  heaven 
and  earth  for  subjects  of  conversation  in  the  fashion- 
able salons  of  the  century.  His  sympathy  is  so 
fundamental  and  his  knowledge  so  intimate  that  it 
seems  natural  to  attribute  them  to  the  influence  of 
heredity.  If  he  was  the  son  of  the  "  ignorant  and 
brutal  shopkeeper,"  described  by  Mercier,  how  could 
he  have  become  the  inimitable  historian  of  the  light- 
hearted  intrigues  and  intimacies  of  the  boudoir  ? 

Where  did  he  learn  that  finesse,  that  exquisite 
tact,  that  easy  self-possession  which  made  the  nobility 
of  France  under  the  ancien  regime  the  most  attractive 
aristocracy  the  world  has  ever  seen  ?  Being  unable 
to  answer  these  questions  satisfactorily,  it  has  been 
roundly  asserted  that  our  author  was  of  noble  descent, 
though  apart  from  this  vague  sense  of  the  fitness 

12 


LOUVET 

of  things  there  is  no  evidence  for  the  statement.  Nor 
did  Louvet  himself  make  any  serious  claim  to  a 
title,  for  though  he  signed  Faublas  "  Louvet  de 
Couvrai,"  it  seems  clear  from  the  address  "  To  my 
double,"  affixed  to  that  work,  he  did  so  only  to  avoid 
Confusion  with  another  public  man ;  whilst  in  later 
editions  of  the  romance  he  jokingly  refers  to  "  the  most 
impertinent  of  Revolutions  "  for  robbing  him  of  his 
title  of  a  day.  The  address,  which  bears  directly  on 
the  subject,  runs  thus : 

"  I  do  not  know,  sir,  if  you  are  the  happy  possessor 
of  a  face  like  mine,  or  if,  like  me,  you  are  descended 
from  that  famous  Louvet*  ...  I  do  not  know, 
though  I  can  no  longer  doubt,  that  we  are  of  about 
the  same  age ;  that  we  are  adorned  with  almost 
the  same  title  ;  and  that  we  glory  in  an  identical 
name.  Above  all,  I  am  struck  by  a  point  of  re- 
semblance more  important  to  us  and  more  interesting 
to  our  country  ;  it  is  that  we  can  march  hand  in  hand 
to  immortality,  for  we  both  write  very  charming 
prose,  and  we  both  readily  get  ourselves  into  print. 

"I  am  pleased  to  think  that  this  perfect  analogy 
seemed  at  first  to  you,  as  it  did  to  me,  very  flattering  ; 
but  now  I  am  persuaded  that  you  feel,  as  I  do,  the 
terrible  inconvenience  that  it  entails.  By  what 
certain  sign  shall  two  rivals  so  closely  resembling 
each  other,  and  entering  at  the  same  time  on  a  great 

*  A  reference  to  President  Louvet,  minister  of  State  under 
Charles  VII.,  whose  wife  (with  her  charmes  succulents)  plays  such 
an  important  vdle  in  Voltaire's  Pucelle.  These  words  appear  to 
me  to  have  been  taken  too  seriously ;  at  least,  it  may  fairly  be 
doubted  whether  this  was  not  "  only  his  fun,"  as  Lamb  said  of 
Coleridge's  preaching. 

13 


LOUVET 

career,  be  recognized  and  distinguished  ?  When  the 
world  shall  ring  with  our  common  fame ;  when  our 
masterpieces,  under  the  same  signature,  shall  travel 
from  pole  to  pole,  who  will  separate  our  two  names, 
confounded  in  the  temple  of  Fame  ?  Who  will  pre- 
serve to  me  my  reputation,  which,  without  the  least 
idea  of  doing  so,  you  will  continually  usurp  ?  Who 
will  restore  to  you  your  glory,  of  which,  without 
wishing  to  do  so,  I  shall  continually  rob  you  ?  Who 
could  be  so  perspicacious,  as  by  a  sufficiently  equitable 
distribution,  to  render  to  each  the  just  portion  of 
celebrity  which  he  has  merited  ?  What  shall  I 
do  to  prevent  them  from  lending  you  all  my  wit  ? 
How  will  you  prevent  them  from  gratifying  me 
with  all  your  eloquence  ?  Ah !  my  dear  sir,  my 
dear  sir ! 

"  It  is  true  that  a  thankless  fortune  has  put  a 
difference  between  us  which  is  wholly  to  your  ad- 
vantage :  you  are  an  advocate  au,*  whilst  I  am  but  an 
advocate  en  ;f  you  have  pronounced  a  great  dis- 
course before  a  great  assembly,  whilst  I  have  but 
written  a  small  romance.  Now,  all  orators  will  allow 
that  it  is  more  difficult  to  harangue  the  public,  than 
to  write  in  the  study  ;  and  all  enlightened  folk  stand 
aghast  at  the  gulf  which  separates  advocates  en 
from  advocates  au.  But  I  would  humbly  submit 
that  there  are  thousands  of  ignorant  people  in  the 
state,  who  have  never  heard  either  of  my  romance 
or  of  your  discourse,  and  who,  in  their  profound 
indifference,  have  not  taken  the  trouble  to  learn  what 
great  privileges  are  attached  to  that  little  word  au, 

*  Avocat  au  tribunal*  f  Avocat  en  droit. 


LOUVET 

of  which,  if  I  were  in  your  place,  I  should  be  very 
proud.  Thus,  you  see,  sir,  in  spite  of  the  romance 
and  the  discourse,  and  the  en  and  the  au,  all  these 
good  people,  who  cannot  fail  to  hear  of  you  and  I 
very  shortly,  will  constantly  be  taking  one  of  us  for 
the  other.  Ah,  my  dear  sir,  I  pray  you,  let  us  hasten 
to  spare  our  contemporaries  these  perpetual  mis- 
apprehensions, which,  moreover,  will  be  so  very 
embarrassing  for  our  nephews. 

"  I  had  at  first  imagined  that  you,  being  the  more 
interested  party  in  clearing  the  doubts  of  posterity, 
would  follow  the  custom  of  your  noble  colleagues, 
who,  for  the  greater  glory  of  the  Bar,  when  their 
ordinary  names  are  become  too  modest,  commonly 
augment  them  by  the  addition  of  a  high-sounding 
surname.  On  further  reflection,  however,  I  felt  that 
I  ought  to  spare  you  from  such  a  ridiculous  action 
by  taking  it  upon  myself.  It  was  that  which  decided 
me.  You  may,  if  you  see  fit  to  do  so,  remain  simply 
M.  Lou  vet ;  for  my  part  I  wish  ever  to  be  Lou  vet  de 
Couvrai."* 

This  little  discourse  has  hitherto  been  treated  as  a 
deliberate  mystification  on  the  part  of  its  author.  It 
may  have  been  so.  Yet  is  it  not  conceivable  that 
Louvet  intended  the  epistle  to  be  taken  literally  ? 
The  surmise  is  strengthened  when  we  consider  that 
the  advocate  Pierre  Florent  Louvet  had  already  won 

*  It  was  a  common  practice  in  large  families  for  each  son  to  adopt 
a  second  name,  in  this  way,  to  distinguish  him  from  his  brothers. 
Thus,  we  have  Brissot  de  Warville,  who  was  known  to  Madame 
de  Genlis  only  as  Monsieur  de  Warville ;  Potion  de  Villeneuve,  and 
the  brothers  Rabaut  Saint-Etienne  and  Rabaut-Pomier. 

15 


LOUVET 

a  reputation  for  eloquence  before  the  meeting  of  the 
Constituent  Assembly.  He  afterwards  represented 
the  Department  of  la  Somme  in  the  Legislative 
Assembly  and  in  the  National  Convention.  He  was 
a  member  of  the  Plaine — the  Trimmers  of  their  day — 
and  on  the  downfall  of  the  Girondists  addressed  a 
letter  of  protest  to  the  Convention  against  their  pro- 
scription. During  the  Terror,  he  was  sent  as  a 
commissioner  to  interview  Madame  Roland  in  the 
Abbaye  Prison,  and  came  off  second  best.  She 
thought  him  a  pedantic  fool,  and  as  good  as  told  him 
so  ;  but^his  embarrassment  may  have  arisen  from 
nervousness  and  a  sense  of  the  justice  of  her  cause. 
He  seems  to  have  been  an  inoffensive  creature.  His 
name  appears  in  the  trial  of  Charlotte  Corday,  and 
on  the  document  which  Robespierre  was  signing  when 
he  was  struck  down  at  the  Hotel  de  Ville. 

In  the  beginning  of  1789,  Lou  vet  went  to  live  in 
a  country  house,  six  miles  from  Paris,  which  a  friend 
had  generously  placed  at  his  disposal,  in  order  to  write 
the  last  chapters  of  the  second  part  of  Faublas. 
He  was  anxious  to  finish  it,  for  Lodolska,  failing  to 
obtain  a  divorce,  was  about  to  join  him  and  he  would 
shortly  have  to  provide  for  them  both. 

"  I  was  at  work,"  he  says,  "  on  the  Fin  des 
Amours  de  Faublas,  and  I  worked  hi  my  own  way, 
that  is  to  say,  in  absolute  solitude,  far  from  all 
commerce  with  the  world,  cut  off,  as  it  were,  from 
among  the  living,  delivered  over  solely  to  the  creatures 
of  my  imagination.  It  is  essential  to  me  when  at 
work  to  abandon  myself  without  distraction  of  any 
kind.  Should  an  intruder  break  the  thread  of  my 

16 


LOUVET 

thoughts,  I  have  the  greatest  difficulty  to  resume 
my  work,  and  if  I  am  often  interrupted,  disgust 
supervenes  and  my  mind  becomes  paralyzed ;  but 
left,  on  the  other  hand,  to  myself,  I  work  with  very 
great  rapidity." 

The  publication  of  the  other  six  volumes  of 
Faublas  in  1789,  considerably  increased  Louvet's 
fortune.  The  profits  would  doubtless  have  been 
very  much  greater  but  for  the  outbreak  of  the 
Revolution,  which  interfered  with  the  sale  of  all 
romances,  and  gave  facilities  to  the  publishers  of 
pirated  editions. 

The  story  of  Lodoi'ska,  which  forms  an  episode 
in  Faublas,  was  the  subject  of  two  operas  per- 
formed with  great  success  in  Paris,  the  first,  composed 
by  Cherubini,  being  produced  at  the  Theatre  Feydeau 
on  July  18,  1791,  and  the  second  by  Kreutzer,  at 
the  Italiens  on  August  I,  1791.  It  was  also  the  subject 
of  a  popular  melodrama  by  J.  P.  Kemble,  first  per- 
formed in  June,  1794,  at  the  Drury  Lane  Theatre. 
In  spite  of  a  song  by  Tom  Moore,  it  is  poor  stuff ; 
though  rich  in  humour  of  the  unconscious  sort.  The 
climax  is  terrific.  A  horde  of  Tartars  (twenty-four 
to  be  exact),  on  real  horses,  set  the  castle  on  fire  in 
which  Lodoi'ska  and  her  lover  are  confined  by  her 
wicked  and  amorous  custodian.  Floreski,  her  lover, 
snatches  her  from  the  blazing  battlements,  whilst 
the  Tartars,  their  rescuers,  bear  off  all  the  other 
women  they  find,  singing  a  bold,  bad  song  with  the 
refrain : 

"  Worlds  of  wealth,  and  worlds  of  wives, 
Are  the  hardy  TARTARS  PRIZE." 

17  2 


CHAPTER  II 

Les  Amours  du  Chevalier  de  Faitblas. 

WRETCHED  cloaca  of  a  book ;  without  depth 
even  as  a  cloaca !  What  '  picture  of  French 
society '  is  here  ?  Picture  properly  of  nothing,  if  not 
of  the  mind  that  gave  it  out  as  some  sort  of  a  picture. 
Yet  symptom  of  much ;  above  all,  of  the  world  that 
could  nourish  itself  thereon."  Thus  spake  Carlyle 
in  reference  to  Faublas.  In  charity,  ^we  can  only 
assume  that  the  man  who  wrote  these  words  had 
never  read  the  book ;  in  this,  indeed,  he  was  no 
worse  than  the  many  others  who  have  cheerfully 
taken  upon  themselves  to  decry  this  wonderful 
romance.  The  criticism  has  no  more  relation  to 
fact  than  the  definition  propounded  to  Cuvier  by  a 
youthful  comparative  anatomist,  in  which  a  crab 
was  described  as  a  red  fish  which  walks  backwards. 
"  Your  definition  would  be  perfect,"  said  Cuvier, 
"  but  for  three  facts :  a  crab  is  not  a  fish,  it  is  not 
red,  and  it  does  not  walk  backwards." 

It  is  strange  that  the  moralist  who  tolerates  with- 
out a  protest  the  mephitic  sentimentality  of  his 
German  contemporaries,  he  who  has  nought  but  a 
smile  for  the  lubricity  of  a  Philina,  and  boggles  at 
none  of  the  gratuitous  coarseness  of  that  dullest  of 
the  world's  great  masterpieces,  Wilhelm  Meisier, 
should  stiffen  at  once  into  the  Calvinistic  divine 

18 


LOUVEt 

and  profess  to  be  shocked  when  Louvet  lays  bare 
the  souls  of  the  men  and  looks  into  the  hearts  of 
the  women  he  knew  so  well. 

"  If  I  am  sometimes  too  gay,"  says  Louvet  in  his 
preface,  "  forgive  me.  I  have  yawned  so  much  over 
so  many  romances.  I  was  fearful  lest  mine  should 
be  as  soporific  as  they.  Have  patience  with  me  for 
a  few  years,  and  I  shall  perhaps  write  a  duller  one, 
which  will  be  more  to  your  liking.  I  say  perhaps. 
Yet  ought  not  the  romancer  to  be  the  faithful  his- 
torian of  his  age  ?  Can  he  paint  other  than  that  he 
has  seen  ?  O,  you  who  make  such  a  clatter,  change 
your  manners,  and  I  will  change  my  pictures !  " 

Precisely,  Faublas,  we  repeat,  is  not  an  im- 
moral book.  It  has  none  of  that  subtle,  furtive 
and  leering  indecency  which  debases  much  of  the 
literature  of  the  eighteenth  century ;  and,  after  all, 
it  is  by  the  moral  standard  of  the  age  in  which  it  was 
written,  not  by  our  own,  that  every  work  of  art 
should  be  judged.  In  short,  all  that  is  noble  in 
Faublas  (and  I  think  you  will  find  a  great  deal) 
belongs  to  Louvet  alone,  whilst  he  is  not  entirely 
responsible  for  that  which  shocks  the  susceptibilities 
of  his  modern  readers.  It  is  witty,  vivacious,  and 
as  free  from  cant  and  superfluous  fig-leaves  as  the 
brilliant  society  it  portrays  ;  but,  like  that  society, 
it  has  its  serious  moments  too.  There  are  passages 
hi  it  worthy  of  the  eloquence  of  a  Burke,  and  scenes 
which  would  draw  tears  from  the  eyes  of  a  Robes- 
pierre. The  women  are  spirited  to  the  verge  of  in- 
discretion, but  tactful,  warm-hearted  and  sym- 
pathetic; it  was  their  nature  to  love  passionately, 

19  2* 


LOUVET 

and  they  glory  in  their  love.  Yet  they  are  the  true 
sisters  of  the  beautiful  and  good  Madame  de  Lam- 
balle,  who,  on  hearing  of  the  Queen's  danger,  left 
a  safe  asylum  in  England  to  watch  over  and  comfort 
her  friend,  and  paid  for  her  devotion  by  the  thousand 
obscene  horrors  perpetrated  on  her  murdered  body  ;* 
or  of  that  Madame  Bouquey,  who  welcomed  and 
protected  Louvet  and  his  fellow-outlaws,  when  all 
other  doors  were  closed  against  them,  starved  herself 
that  they  might  be  fed,  and  when  that  was  not 
enough,  cheerfully  laid  down  her  life  for  her 
friends. 

And  we  are  made  to  feel  that  these  pleasure-loving 
women  he  describes,   in  spite  of  their  gaiety,  their 
frivolity,  and  their  recklessness,  will  also,  when  their 
time  comes,  shrink  from  no  sacrifice  for  the  sake  of 
those  they  love.     Nor  are  the  men  unworthy  of  such 
women.     They    are    careless    epicureans,    dissipated 
it  may  be,  in  a  genteel  way,  not  overburdened  with 
conscience,  perhaps,  when  things  go  well  with  them, 
as  under  the  ancien  regime  ;  but  these  are  the  chival- 
rous gentlemen  who,  on  August  loth,  1789,  rushed 
forward  to  die  for  the  King  on  the  staircase  of  the 
Tuileries  ;    the  lofty  patriots  who  poured  out  their 
blood  like  water  in  the  service  of  the  country  which 
robbed,    proscribed,    massacred,    and    led    them    in 
flocks  to  the  scaffold. 

The  romance  opens  with  Faublas'  first  entry  into 

*  She  was  then  forty-three,  but  she  had  been  beautiful  and  she 
was  still  good. 

20 


LOUVET 

Paris  by  the  Faubourg  Saint-Marceau,   in  October, 

1783. 

"  I  sought,"  he  says,  "  that  superb  city  of  which 
I  had  read  such  wonderful  accounts.  I  found  but 
high  and  squalid  tenements,  long  narrow  streets,  poor 
wretches  everywhere  clothed  in  rags,  a  crowd  of 
almost  naked  children  ;  I  beheld  a  dense  population 
and  appalling  poverty.  I  asked  my  father  if  that 
was  indeed  Paris  ;  he  answered  coldly  that  it  was 
certainly  not  the  finest  quarter ;  we  should  have  time 
to  see  the  other  on  the  morrow." 

This  picture,  drawn  in  a  few  simple  words,  bites 
into  the  brain  of  the  reader  like  the  burin  into  the 
plate  of  the  engraver.  It  succeeds  in  bringing  pre- 
revolutionary  Paris  straight  before  the  eyes,  far  more 
directly  than  many  more  ambitious  descriptions. 
The  contrast  between  the  life  he  sees  to-day  and 
the  life  into  which  he  enters  on  the  morrow  is  most 
effective.  A  few  days  after  their  arrival  in  the 
capital,  the  hero  and  his  father  visit  the  convent  in 
which  Faublas'  sister  Adelaide  is  a  pensionnaire. 

"  My  father  was  curious  to  see  the  bosom  friend  of 
his  daughter.  When  the  Baron  requested  Adelaide 
to  fetch  Mademoiselle  de  Pontis,  a  kind  of  presenti- 
ment set  my  heart  beating  wildly.  My  sister  ran 
out ;  she  soon  returned,  leading  by  the  hand  .  .  . 
imagine  Venus  at  fourteen !  I  wanted  to  step  for- 
ward, to  speak,  to  bow ;  I  remained  with  fixed  eyes, 
open  mouth,  and  with  arms  hanging  helplessly  by 
my  side.  My  father,  perceiving  my  agitation,  was 
amused.  '  Surely  you  will  greet  the  lady  ?  '  said  he. 
This  served  but  to  increase  my  embarrassment. 

31 


LOUVET 

I  made  a  very  awkward  bow.  '  I  assure  you,  made- 
moiselle, that  this  young  man  has  had  a  master  of 
deportment,'  continued  the  Baron.  I  was  absolutely 
put  out  of  countenance.  .  .  .  Before  leaving,  my 
father  kissed  his  daughter  and  bowed  to  Mademoiselle 
de  Pontis.  In  my  agitation  I  bowed  to  my  sister, 
and  was  on  the  point  of  kissing  Sophie.  The  young 
lady's  governess,  preserving  more  presence  of  mind 
than  I,  advised  me  of  my  mistake.  The  Baron 
looked  at  me  in  astonishment.  Sophie  coloured 
slightly,  but  a  smile  rippled  over  her  sweet  lips." 

It  must  be  admitted  that  Faublas'  adventures 
were  not  all  so  innocent.  Soon  after  coming  to  Paris, 
he  made  the  acquaintance  of  the  Comte  de  Rosam- 
bert,  a  handsome  young  rake,  who  early  initiated 
him  into  the  elegant  iniquities  of  that  polite  society, 
in  which  "  vice  itself  had  lost  half  its  evil  by  losing  all 
its  grossness." 

In  a  spirit  of  mischievousness,  Rosambert  per- 
suades Faublas,  who  is  a  very  pretty  boy,  to  accom- 
pany him  to  a  ball  dressed  as  a  girl. 

"  We  had  no  sooner  made  an  appearance  in  the 
assembly  than  all  eyes  were  turned  on  me.  I  was 
troubled ;  I  felt  myself  blush  ;  I  lost  all  countenance. 
It  occurred  to  me  that  perhaps  some  part  of  my 
dress  was  disordered,  or  that  my  borrowed  habit  had 
betrayed  me  ;  but  the  general  eagerness  of  the  men 
and  the  universal  discontent  of  the  women  soon 
convinced  me  that  I  was  well  disguised.  One  looked 
at  me  disdainfully,  another  examined  me  sulkily ; 
there  was  an  agitation  of  fans  as  they  whispered 
together  and  exchanged  malicious  smiles.  I  saw  that 

22 


LOUVET 

they  gave  me  the  welcome  which  women  usually 
accord  to  a  pretty  rival  on  seeing  her  for  the  first 
time.  At  this  moment  a  very  beautiful  woman 
entered  the  room  ;  it  was  the  Count's  mistress.  He 
introduced  me  as  his  relative,  who,  he  said,  had  just 
left  the  convent.  The  lady  (who  was  the  Marquise 

de  B )   received   me   very  kindly.     I   sat   down 

by  her  side,  and  the  young  men  made  a  circle  round 
us.  In  order  to  excite  the  jealousy  of  his  mistress, 
the  Count  affected  to  treat  me  with  marked  pre- 
ference. The  Marquise,  apparently  nettled  by  his 
coquetry,  and  resolved  to  punish  him,  dissimulated 
the  vexation  she  felt  and  redoubled  her  politeness 
and  kindness  towards  me. 

"  '  Do  you  like  the  convent,  mademoiselle  ?  '  she 
asked. 

"  *  I  should  love  it,  madame,  if  there  were  many 
people  like  you  there.' 

"  The  Marquise  smiled  in  acknowledgment  of  the 
compliment.  She  asked  me  a  great  many  more  ques- 
tions, seemed  delighted  with  my  answers,  and  over- 
whelmed me  with  those  little  caresses  which  women 
lavish  on  each  other.  Then,  turning  to  Rosambert, 
she  told  him  he  was  really  too  fortunate  in  having 
such  a  relative,  and  ended  by  giving  me  a  tender  kiss, 
which  I  politely  returned.  This  was  more  than  the 
Count  had  bargained  for.  Taken  aback  by  the 
vivacity  of  the  Marquise,  and,  above  all,  by  the  good- 
will with  which  I  had  received  her  caresses,  he  whis- 
pered in  her  ear  and  revealed  to  her  the  secret  of  my 
disguise.  Having  looked  at  me  very  attentively  for 
a  few  moments,  she  cried  : 

23 


LOUVET 

"  *  What  nonsense  !     It  cannot  be  ! ' 

"  The  Count  renewed  his  protestations. 

"  '  What  an  idea ! '  replied  the  Marquise,  lowering 
her  voice.  '  Do  you  know  what  he  says  ?  He  has 
the  assurance  to  tell  me  that  you  are  a  young  man 
in  disguise.' 

"  I  replied  timidly  in  a  whisper  that  he  spoke  the 
truth. 

"  The  Marquise  darted  a  tender  glance  at  me, 
pressed  my  hand,  and  feigning  to  have  misunderstood 
my  words,  she  said  aloud  : 

"  *  I  knew  it  very  well.  The  story  was  too  pre- 
posterous !  *  Then  turning  to  the  Count : 

"  '  What  is  the  meaning  of  this  pleasantry,  mon- 
sieur ?  ' 

"  *  What ! '  cried  Rosambert  in  his  astonishment ; 
'  does  mademoiselle  dare  to  maintain ' 


(I   c 


Of  course  she  maintains  it !  Just  look  at  her, 
such  a  sweet  child  ;  the  pretty  darling !  * 

"  '  Do  you  mean  to  tell  me ! '  again  ex- 
claimed the  Count. 

" '  I  pray  you  have  done  with  this  nonsense, 
monsieur,'  returned  the  Marquise  with  considerable 
warmth  ;  '  either  you  take  me  for  a  fool  or  you  are 
beside  yourself.' ' 

Such  is  the  beginning  of  Faublas'  liaison  with  the 
brilliant  Madame  de  B . 

Of  all  the  striking  figures  in  the  book  the  Marquise 
is  the  most  remarkable.  She  is  the  incarnation  of 
those  fascinating  women,  with  an  extraordinary 
aptitude  for  affairs,  either  of  a  political  or  a  senti- 
mental nature,  who  have  played  such  a  great  part 

24 


LOUVET 

throughout  the  history  of  France.  No  nation  has 
produced  so  great  a  number  of  eminent  women ; 
and  in  no  country  have  the  women  had  such  a  direct 
influence  on  the  march  of  events.  Frenchwomen 
claim  it  as  their  right  to  have  a  voice  in  every  matter 
which  affects  the  welfare  of  those  dear  to  them. 

"  Madame,"  said  Napoleon  to  a  lady  no  less  cele- 
brated for  her  beauty  and  her  wit  than  for  the  viva- 
city of  her  opinions,  "  I  do  not  like  women  to  meddle 
in  politics."  "  You  are  quite  right,  General,"  she 
replied ;  "  but  in  a  country  where  they  cut  off  their 
heads,  it  is  only  natural  that  they  should  want  to 
know  why."  The  first  person  openly  to  express 
Republican  opinions  in  France  was  Madame  Robert, 
daughter  of  the  Chevalier  Guynement  de  Keralio, 
and  that  at  a  time  when  the  terrible  lettre  de  cachet 
was  in  full  force  ;  and  when  Madame  Roland,  who  was 
destined  to  become  one  of  the  great  Republican 
martyrs,  was  still  a  supporter  of  the  Monarchy. 

Madame  Robert,  according  to  M.  Aulard,  must  be 
regarded  as  the  founder  of  the  Republican  party. 
In  view  of  these  facts,  it  is  little  wonder  that,  in  1788, 
a  great  thinker  like  Condorcet  should  draw  up  a 
scheme  of  social  and  political  reform,  in  which  he 
demanded  that  women  should  be  eligible  to  vote  at 
the  election  of  representatives.*  Nor  is  it  surprising 
that  under  the  ancien  regime  women  holders  of  fiefs 
were  admitted  to  vote  in  the  electoral  system  of 
the  provincial  and  municipal  assemblies ;  whilst 
many  a  noble  or  clerical  deputy  owed  his  election 

*  See  the  present  writer's  article  on  "  Women's  Suffrage  and  the 
French  Revolution,"  in  The  Academy,  Sept.  7,  1907. 

25 


LOUVET 

to  the  States-General  to  the  votes  of  women.*  More- 
over, women  participated  directly  in  all  the  events 
of  the  Revolution.  Some  contributed  to  its  success 
in  their  salons,  others  in  the  streets,  and  yet  others 
at  the  taking  of  the  Bastille.  It  was  the  women 
who  initiated  the  march  on  Versailles  on  the  5th 
and  6th  October,  1789  ;  it  was  a  woman  who  rid  her 
country  of  a  tyrant  in  Marat ;  and  it  was  a  woman, 
Therese  Cabarrus,  who  (in  her  own  way,  it  is  true) 
checked  the  bloody  proscriptions  of  Tallien  at  Bor- 
deaux. The  Madame  de  B of  Faublas  is 

just  such  a  woman  as  these.  She  has  an  iron  will 
and  a  tender  heart.  She  was  fashioned  for  love,  and 
she  was  fashioned  for  intrigue.  We  can  imagine 
her  fighting  the  battles  of  the  century  in  her  draw- 
ing-room. She  delights  in  violent  action,  and  yet 
she  is  superbly  feminine. 

From  the  moment  of  her  meeting  with  Faublas, 
her  whole  life  is  devoted  to  scheming  for  his 
happiness,  but  she  is  determined  that  he  shall 
owe  his  happiness  to  none  but  her.  To  attain 
her  object,  she  sticks  at  nothing :  all  means  are 
fair  in  her  eyes.  She  makes  heroic  efforts  to  be 
generous  to  Sophie  (the  daughter  of  Lodoiska)  and 
Madame  de  Lignolle,  her  rivals,  but  the  woman  in 
her  triumphs,  and  she  is  their  implacable  enemy 
throughout  ;  and  whenever  Faublas  attempts  to  break 
with  her  he  is  met  by  the  insurmountable  obstacle 
of  her  imperious  love. 

After  reading  Faublas  we  feel  that  the  Mar- 
quise de  B is  one  of  the  few  heroines  of  romance 

*  Mirabeau's  mother  recorded  her  vote  on  this  occasion. 
26 


LOUVET 

that  we  have  met  in  the  flesh,  so  intense  is  the  feeling 
of  reality  she  creates.  Her  spell  is  cast  over  the 
reader  just  as  surely  as  it  was  cast  over  Faublas, 
for  she  is  not  a  creature  of  the  imagination,  but  a 
woman  of  flesh  and  blood  ;  and  it  is  as  idle  for  the 
M.  du  Portail  of  the  story  to  exhort  the  hero  to  break 
with  her,  as  it  is  to  attempt  to  weaken  the  devotion 
of  the  reader  by  shouting  in  his  ear  that  she  paid  too 
little  regard  to  the  proprieties. 

As  for  Faublas  himself,  he  would  certainly  be  an 
impossible  person  were  it  not  for  one  fact.  In  spite 
of  his  wildness  and  the  thousand  and  one  follies  of 
which  he  is  guilty,  the  quest  of  sensation  without  love, 
of  pleasure  for  pleasure's  sake,  which  is  the  essential 
characteristic  of  the  vicious  man,  is  foreign  to  his 
nature.  This  is  his  saving  grace  ;  therein  lay  the 
charm  he  has  for  us,  and  we  readily  forgive  him 
everything.  He  is  a  rake,  but  his  rakishness  has 
not  corrupted  his  heart.  His  conduct  may  be  open 
to  improvement,  but  his  sentiments  are  beyond 
reproach.  The  clean-hearted  and  tender  Sophie 
never  ceases  to  hold  his  heart  in  her  little  white 
hand. 

With  her  modesty  and  almost  childish  candour,  she 
remains  for  him  the  incarnation  of  that  assured  and 
enduring  domestic  happiness,  which  for  him  is  a  para- 
dise lost.  When  his  good  intentions  fall  victims  to 
an  over-ardent  temperament,  as  they  very  often 
do,  he  returns  to  her  in  a  passion  of  remorse.  Sophie, 
on  her  part,  never  fails  to  greet  him  with  a  welcoming 
smile  on  her  lips  and  forgiveness  in  her  eyes,  and 
Faublas,  with  characteristic  buoyancy,  takes  this  as 

27 


LOUVET 

a  sign  that  he  has  reached  at  least  one  stage  on  the 
road  to  the  paradise  regained. 

As  there  are  some  men,  so  are  there  some  books 
superior  to  their  reputations.  Faublas  is  such  a 
book.  Beyond  the  mad  frolics  of  a  particularly  in- 
flammable hero,  beyond  the  profoundly  scientific 

capitulations   of   the   Marquise   de   B ,    and   the 

disingenuous  indiscretions  of  the  sprightly  little 
Comtesse  de  Lignolle,  there  is  a  very  definite  moral 
to  be  drawn.  Louvet,  unconsciously  it  may  be, 
makes  his  characters  suffer  the  logical  consequences, 
both  moral  and  physical,  of  their  misconduct ;  and 
a  book  which  its  author  has  strangely  enough  de- 
scribed as  "  frivolous  "  ends  in  a  poignant  tragedy. 

Considered  as  a  whole,  the  most  prejudiced  reader 
must  admit  that  the  characters  in  the  romance  com- 
pare very  favourably  with  their  contemporaries  in  real 
life.  Few  would  be  prepared  to  maintain  that  the 
hero  and  heroines  of  Faublas  are  not  on  an  in- 
finitely higher  moral  plane  than  the  average  courtier 
or  leader  of  society  under  the  Regency.  Compared 
with  Madame  de  Boufflers  or  Madame  de  Parabere, 

the  Marquise  de  B is  almost  a  vestal ;    and  if  it 

be  objected  that  the  essential  quality  of  a  vestal  is 
absolute  and  admits  of  no  modification,  even  in  the 
case  of  such  a  charming  creature  as  the  Marquise, 
we  would  urge  that  her  past  left  so  very  little  trace 
on  her  future  that  the  matter  is  scarcely  worth 
arguing  about.  As  for  Faublas,  his  naughtiest  ad- 
venture is  innocence  itself  compared  with  the  cold- 
blooded depravities  of  a  La  Fare  or  a  Richelieu,  not 
to  mention  the  unspeakable  De  Sade. 

38 


LOWET 

With  its  laughing  philosophy  and  easy  self- 
possession,  its  exquisite  tact,  delicacy  of  feeling  and 
scintillating  wit,  Faublas  is  the  epic  of  the  ancien 
regime,  the  masterly  epitome  of  that  careless,  gallant 
and  accommodating  society  which  was  so  soon  to 
perish  under  the  blade  of  the  guillotine. 


CHAPTER  III 

Louvet  returns  to  Paris — Lodolska  again — Nemours — The  sex 
question  during  the  Revolution — The  teaching  of  the  philosophes, 
and  its  results — Louvet  dons  the  tricolour — The  King's  veto — 
"  An  infamous  orgy  " — Louvet  is  called  out — The  insurrection 
of  the  5-6  October,  1789 — Louvet  and  Lodoiska  seek  to  win 
over  the  soldiers — Lonvet  begins  his  political  career — Paris 
justifii} — The  Jacobins. 

HIS  task  over,  Louvet  quitted  his  solitary  retreat 
and  returned  to  Paris.  Ignorant  of  all  that  had 
happened  during  the  past  months,  he  stepped,  as  it 
were,  into  a  new  world.  The  France  of  a  year  ago 
had  passed  away  for  ever :  a  new  era  had  dawned. 
The  States-General  had  been  in  session  for  six  weeks. 

"  Full  of  civic  curiosity,"  he  says,  "  I  set  out  for 
Versailles.  It  was  the  i4th  or  i5th  of  June  (1789) 
when  I  entered  the  hall.  Target  was  speaking.  As 
everybody  knows,  Target  was  not  the  most  eloquent  of 
the  Commons,  but  he  was  a  man  of  some  feeling,  and 
at  that  time  showed  courage,  and  this  was  the  first 
time  I  had  heard  the  rights  of  the  people  spoken  of 
publicly.  My  soul  was  stirred  to  the  depths.  I  re- 
turned preoccupied  with  the  thought  that  since  I 
could  serve  the  popular  cause  in  no  other  way,  I 
ought  to  undertake  the  publication  of  a  journal. 

"  But  if  the  love  of  the  Revolution  blazed  up 
suddenly  in  my  heart,  another  and  an  older  love 
burnt  there  none  the  less  ardently.  Ah  !  if  I  could 
but  write  the  story  of  my  youth !  You  would  then 

30 


know  something  of  her,  that  rare  woman,  endowed 
with  every  quality  of  mind,  heart  and  soul ;  and  I 
should  deem  myself  unworthy  of  her  love  if  I  failed 
to  make  you  adore  her  too." 

That  was  perhaps  too  much  to  expect,  but  clearly 
our  friend  was  badly  smitten,  for  this  was  set  down 
four  years  later. 

"  Her  name,"  he  proceeds,  "  might  now  be  men- 
tioned without  compromising  her,  for  she  is  my 
wife ;  but  I  will  still  conceal  it  lest  our  enemies 
should  wreak  their  cowardly  vengeance  on  her  un- 
offending relatives.  I  will,  therefore,  give  her  the 
name  of  the  generous  daughter  of  one  Republican 
and  the  worthy  wife  of  another,  whose  characters  I 
have  drawn  in  the  (Polish)  episode  of  my  first  romance. 
Who  could  have  guessed,  when  in  1786  I  described 
the  perils  and  adventures  of  the  unhappy  Pulawski, 
that  soon  my  own  destiny  would  bear  such  a  striking 
resemblance  to  his  ;  or  that  my  dear  lady,  whose  only 
ornaments  then  seemed  the  tender  graces  and  virtues 
of  her  sex,  would  display  all  the  high  courage  and 
firmness  in  the  face  of  danger  and  difficulty  with 
which  I  had  endowed  the  wife  of  Lowzinski  ?  To 
think  that  it  was  to  be  her  fate  to  suffer  all  the  mis- 
fortunes my  brain  had  invented  for  Lodoi'ska.  By 
that  name,  then,  I  shall  in  future  distinguish  her." 

For  five  months  Louvet  had  been  deprived  of  the 
happiness  of  seeing  Lodoiska.  As  soon,  therefore, 
as  he  had  made  arrangements  for  the  publication  of 
his  new  volumes,  he  left  everything  and  flew  to  her. 
She  was  living  at  Nemours,  rather  more  than  fifty 
miles  from  Paris. 


LOUVET 

"  Of  all  noble  sweeps  of  roadway,"  wrote  Robert 
Louis  Stevenson  in  an  essay  on  Fontainebleau,  "  none 
is  nobler,  on  a  windy  dusk,  than  the  high  road  to 
Nemours,  between  its  lines  of  talking  poplar."  The 
place  held  his  imagination,  for  he  returns  to  the  sub- 
ject in  a  letter  to  his  mother  in  1875. 

"  Nemours,"  he  says,  "  is  a  beautiful  little  town, 
watered  by  a  great  canal  and  a  little  river.  The 
river  is  crossed  by  an  infinity  of  little  bridges,  and  the 
houses  have  courts  and  gardens,  and  come  down  in 
stairs  to  the  very  brim  ;  and  washerwomen  sit  every- 
where in  curious  little  penthouses  and  sheds.  A  sort 
of  reminiscence  of  Amsterdam.  The  old  castle  turned 
now  into  a  ball-room  and  cheap  theatre  ;  the  seats 
of  the  pit  are  covered  with  old  Gobelins  tapestry  ; 
one  can  still  see  heads  in  helmets.  In  the  actors' 
dressing-rooms  are  curious  Henry  Fourth  looking- 
glasses.  On  the  other  hand,  the  old  manacles  are 
kept  laid  by  in  a  box,  with  a  lot  of  flower-pots  on  the 
top  of  it,  in  a  room  with  four  canary  birds."  * 

In  a  cottage  on  the  outskirts  of  this  romantic  town 
Louvet  passed  the  next  few  months — the  happiest 
of  his  life — treading  "  the  primrose  path  of  dalliance  " 
with  the  woman  he  loved  by  his  side.  Yet  it  must 
often  have  filled  him  with  bitterness  to  think  that  she 
was  the  wife  of  another,  for  he  was  essentially  "  a 
marrying  man,"  and  his  whole  ambition  was  centred 
in  the  simple  pleasures  of  domestic  life. 

Although   the   moralist   will   condemn   him,    there 

*  See  Balfour  (Graham,)  Life  of  Robert  Louis  Stevenson,  vol.  i., 
p.  13* 

32 


LOUVET 

were  in  his  case  circumstances  which  might  fairly  be 
urged  in  extenuation  of  his  conduct.  Only  those 
whose  virtue  has  triumphed  over  equally  sore  tempta- 
tion are  in  a  position  to  cast  stones  at  him ;  and 
these  would  be  the  last  to  condemn,  for  "  to  know 
all  is  to  pardon  all."  Moreover,  the  bonds  of  matri- 
mony sat  lightly  upon  the  men  and  women  of  that 
age. 

To  them  love  was  its  own  justification,  and  they 
regarded  all  ties  which  prevented  them  from  follow- 
ing the  dictates  of  their  hearts  as  unnatural,  and 
refused  to  be  bound  by  them.  The  characteristic 
attitude  of  the  time,  in  regard  to  the  institution 
of  marriage,  is  summed  up  in  Chamfort's  comedy, 
in  which  Belton,  a  wandering  Englishman,  wrecked 
on  a  savage  island,  encounters  Betty,  an  attrac- 
tive and  unsophisticated  young  lady,  who  falls  in 
love  with  him  at  first  sight  and  takes  him  to  her 
father's  cave,  finally  going  away  with  him.  The 
innocence  of  the  lovers  is  saved,  at  a  critical  juncture, 
by  the  arrival  of  a  benevolent:  Quaker,  who  provides 
a  dowry,  but  insists  on  formally  marrying  them, 
much  to  the  astonishment  of  Betty,  who  exclaims, 
"  What !  can  I  not  love  thee  without  this  man  in  a 
black  gown  ?  " 

Yet  examples  might  be  multiplied  of  the  most 
admirable  constancy  in  extra-conjugal  attachments 
such  as  that  between  Lou  vet  and  Madame  Cholet. 
The  mutual  fidelity  of  the  Chevalier  de  Boufflers 
and  Madame  de  Sabran  triumphed  over  periodical 
separations  of  many  months'  duration ;  and  the 
emotional  Madame  d'Houdetot  (the  original  of 

33  3 


LOUVET 

Heloise)  remained  to  the  end  faithful  to  the  absent 
Saint-Lambert,  in  spite  of  the  gins  and  pitfalls  that 
Rousseau  set  about  her  feet. 

Nor  should  it  be  overlooked  that  the  whole  ten- 
dency of  the  age  was  towards  a  loosening  of  the 
marriage  tie.  The  philosophes  and  encyclopedistes, 
from  Helvetius  to  Rousseau,  and  from  Voltaire  to 
Condorcet,  all  treated  morality  as  a  purely  social 
question,  and  taught  that  our  conduct  is  virtuous 
or  vicious  only  in  so  far  as  it  is  useful  or  prejudicial 
to  the  welfare  of  the  state.  During  the  Revolution, 
this  theory  was  carried  into  practice  in  the  law  of 
September,  1792,  wherein  marriage  was  treated  as 
an  ordinary  civil  contract,  and  its  tie  deliberately 
rendered  loose  and  precarious,  approximating  as 
nearly  as  possible  to  the  free  and  transient  union  of 
the  sexes.  The  law  further  granted  a  dissolution  of 
marriage  on  the  demand  of  both,  or  even  of  one  of 
the  parties,  after  one  month  of  formal  probation ; 
or  if  it  could  be  proved  that  a  couple  had  lived  sepa- 
rate for  six  months,  the  divorce  might  be  pronounced 
without  any  delay  whatever.  Illegitimacy  was 
abolished,  children  born  out  of  wedlock  being  accorded 
the  same  rights  as  legitimate  children. 

During  the  first  two  and  a  quarter  years  following 
the  promulgation  of  this  law,  the  courts  of  Paris 
granted  5,994  divorces ;  and  in  the  sixth  year  of  the 
Republic  the  number  of  divorces  was  in  excess  of  the 
marriages.* 

While  these  facts  do  not  exonerate  Louvet   from 

*  Taine, 

34 


LOUVET 

blame,  they  go  far  to  show  that  the  particular  delin- 
quency of  which  he  was  guilty  was  regarded  as  of 
quite  a  venial  nature,  and  was  accepted  by  his  con- 
temporaries with  an  indulgent  equanimity. 

From  time  to  time  rumours  of  tumult  and  sedition 
in  Paris,  the  first  low  murmurs  of  the  coming  storm, 
reached  him  in  his  retreat,  but  during  the  last  few 
weeks  the  horizon  seemed  to  have  cleared.  Then 
like  a  thunderbolt  came  the  news  that  the  Parisians 
had  suddenly  revolted  and  taken  the  Bastille  by 
assault.  Lou  vet  and  his  companion  were  almost 
delirious  with  joy.  Lodoi'ska  ransacked  her  work- 
basket,  cut  out  three  strips  of  ribbon — red,  white 
and  blue — and  within  a  few  moments  her  deft  fingers 
had  fashioned  a  tricoloured  cockade,  the  badge  of 
the  popular  party.  Kneeling  at  her  feet,  Lou  vet 
received  the  emblem  at  her  hands,  with  all  the  fervour 
of  a  Crusader  setting  out  on  another  holy  war. 

On  being  assured  that  Paris  was  completely 
victorious,  and  had  nothing  to  fear  from  the  intrigues 
of  the  Court,  Louvet  prolonged  his  stay  at  Nemours, 
having  for  the  present  abandoned  his  idea  of  founding 
a  popular  journal. 

After  the  fall  of  the  Bastille  had  convinced  the 
Royalist  party  of  the  futility  of  any  attempt  to  win 
back  by  force  the  power  they  had  lost,  they  hoped 
to  do  so  by  means  of  a  majority  in  the  Constituent 
Assembly.  To  this  end  Mirabeau,  Cazales,  Maury, 
Malouet  and  others  brought  in  a  bill  by  which  no 
law  could  be  passed  by  the  Assembly  without  the 
King's  sanction.  This  measure  was  violently  opposed 

35  3* 


LOUVET 

by  the  leaders  of  the  popular  party,  the  most  pro- 
minent members  of  which  were  Barnave,  the  three 
brothers  Lameth  (founders  of  the  Jacobin  Club), 
Petion,  Robespierre,  Talleyrand  and  Siey£s,  who 
wished  to  make  of  the  King  a  mere  functionary  of 
State,  the  passive  and  obedient  agent  of  a  govern- 
ment which  would  be  Republican  in  all  but  name. 
Between  these  two  parties  were  Necker  and  his  clique, 
who  sought  to  win  the  confidence  of  all  by  allowing 
the  right  of  a  suspensive  veto  to  the  King,  by  which 
he  should  have  power  to  suspend  any  measure  of 
which  he  did  not  approve,  for  a  definite  number  of 
years.  It  is  difficult  to  conceive  how  any  sane  man 
could  have  supported  such  a  measure,  which  would 
have  made  government  practically  impossible. 

Such  was  the  state  of  politics  when  Louvet  returned 
to  Paris  towards  the  end  of  September.  He  at  once 
threw  himself  into  the  fray,  and  in  the  debates  at  the 
assemblies  of  the  municipal  section  to  which  he 
belonged,  he  soon  made  a  name  for  himself  as  an 
orator  of  great  promise.  In  October,  the  Court 
party,  anticipating  further  disturbances,  and  fearing 
for  the  safety  of  the  Royal  Family,  summoned  the 
regiment  of  Flanders  to  Versailles.  They  had  no 
sooner  arrived  than  they  were  half  won  over  by  the 
populace.  In  their  extremity  the  King  and  Queen 
resolved  to  seduce  the  regiment  by  caresses. 

A  magnificent  banquet  was  organized  in  the  Court 
Theatre,  and  invitations  were  addressed  to  all  the 
troops  of  the  King's  household.  At  the  height  of 
the  banquet,  remembering  the  happy  effect  of  her 
mother  Maria  Teresa's  beauty  and  courage  on  her 

36 


LOUVET 

Hungarian  soldiers,  the  1  Queen  appeared  in  their 
midst,  accompanied  by  the  King,  and  bearing  the 
little  Dauphin  in  her  arms.  They  were  greeted  with 
a  thunder  of  applause,  and  a  thousand  swords  leaping 
from  their  scabbards  testified  to  the  passionate  devo- 
tion of  the  soldiers.  The  tricoloured  cockade  was 
trampled  underfoot,  and  the  white  cockade,  the 
emblem  of  the  Royal  house,  was  donned  with 
acclamation. 

At  the  same  moment  the  bands  of  the  Guards 
and  the  regiment  of  Flanders  struck  up  the  plaintive 
air  of  "  6  Richard  !  6  mon  roi !  "  from  Sedaine's 
opera  of  Richard  Cceur  de  Lion,  which  had  met  with 
a  prodigious  success  on  its  appearance  in  1784,  and 
had  maintained  its  popularity  ever  since.  The  story 
on  which  the  opera  is  founded  tells  how  Richard  the 
Lionhearted,  on  his  way  home  from  the  Crusades, 
was  shipwrecked  in  the  Adriatic,  and  whilst  making 
his  way  in  disguise  through  the  territory  of  his  enemy, 
Leopold  Duke  of  Austria,  was  recognized,  arrested, 
and  handed  over  to  the  Emperor  Henry  VI.,  who 
imprisoned  him  in  the  Castle  of  Durrenstein.  The 
play  reaches  its  climax  when  Blondel,  Richard's 
faithful  troubadour,  who  had  followed  him  in  his 
wanderings,  discovers  the  King  by  singing  this  song 
outside  the  prison  in  which  he  is  confined.  On  the 
outbreak  of  the  Revolution  the  analogy  between 
Richard's  situation  and  that  of  Louis  XVI.,  the 
ardent  loyalty  which  characterizes  the  whole  opera, 
and  is,  as  it  were,  epitomized  in  this  pathetic  song, 
caused  it  to  become  the  recognized  chant  of  the 
Royalists : 

37 


LOUVET 

6  Richard!  6  mon  roi  ! 

L'univers  t'abandonne  ; 
Sur  la  terre  il  n'est  done  qne  moi 
Qui  s'interesse  a  ta  personne ! 

Moi  seul  dans  1'univers 

Voudrais  briser  tes  fers, 
Et  tout  le  monde  t'abandonne. 

6  Richard  !  6  mon  roi 

L'univers  t'abandonne, 
Et  sur  la  terre  il  n'est  que  moi 
Qui  s'interesse  a  ta  personne." 

It  is  easy  to  imagine  the  frenzy  of  loyalty  with  which 
the  gallant  soldiers,  heated  as  they  were  with  wine, 
received  the  famous  air,  which  for  five  years  had 
haunted  their  ears ;  whilst  the  belief  that  they  saw 
the  young  and  beautiful  daughter  of  a  hundred 
kings,  in  her  peril,  turning  to  them  as  the  only  refuge 
for  herself  and  those  dear  to  her,  served  but  to  increase 
their  devotion. 

Unhappily,  the  effect  of  the  banquet  on  the  people 
was  disastrous  for  the  Royal  Family.  They  saw  in 
it  a  carefully  organized  plot  against  their  newly-won 
freedom,  and  a  convincing  proof  of  the  King's  per- 
fidy. Seized  with  fury  and  terror,  Paris  showed  her 
teeth. 

The  night  of  the  banquet  Louvet  had  taken 
Lodoiska  to  visit  Madame  Salle,  a  mutual  friend, 
the  wife  of  the  future  Girondist  leader.  The  Salle's 
house  was  a  well-known  rendezvous  of  Revolutionary 
enthusiasts,  and  this  "  infamous  orgy  "  was  the  all- 
absorbing  topic  of  conversation  among  the  guests. 
Several  Deputies  were  present,  and  the  "  scandalous 
turpitude  "  of  the  Court  party  was  denounced  with 

38 


LOUVET 

unmeasured  vehemence.  Presently  a  young  officer  of 
the  Royal  Body  Guards,  the  nephew  of  the  hostess, 
who  had  come  straight  from  the  fete,  entered  the 
room.  He  spoke  enthusiastically  of  the  banquet 
and  of  the  display  of  loyalty  it  had  evoked,  and  went 
on  to  sneer  at  the  Revolution,  and  to  utter  impreca- 
tions and  menaces  against  Paris.  The  Deputies  were 
reduced  to  silence,  and  the  only  person  to  summon 
sufficient  courage  to  remonstrate  with  him  was  the 
lady  who,  as  Louvet  puts  it,  "  had  the  misfortune  to 
be  his  aunt." 

When  the  young  man  had  finished  what  he  had 
to  say,  Louvet,  who  had  till  now  watched  the 
scene  with  some  amusement,  quietly  turned  to  him, 
and  in  his  most  courtly  manner  told  him  he  was 
a  cowardly  slave.  The  two  men  quietly  exchanged 
cards,  and  Louvet  turned  towards  the  door,  in  order 
to  settle  the  difference  of  opinion  forthwith,  when  he 
was  arrested  by  a  look  from  Madame  Cholet,  which 
recalled  him  to  his  duty  and  his  principles.  He  had 
always  ridiculed  the  practice  of  duelling  as  a  relic  of 
barbarism,  which  only  a  year  before  had  (it  was 
rumoured)  cost  France  the  life  of  Suffren,  her  greatest 
admiral. 

"  No,  no,  sir,"  said  he  ;  "  we  have  tolled  the  knell 
of  all  such  prejudices ;  the  age  of  duelling  is  past. 
Besides,  since  when  have  you  nobles  esteemed  persons 
of  my  condition  sufficiently  to  challenge  one  of  them 
to  single  combat  ?  You  men  of  the  sword,  of  the 
cloth  and  of  the  robe,  have  too  long  united  to  oppress 
the  people,  who  could  not  defend  themselves  because 
you  had  the  art  of  spreading  division  among  them. 

39 


LOUVET 

To-day,  it  is  our  turn,  to-day  it  is  the  people  who  by 
their  masses  are  going  to  crush  the  gentlemen.  I 
might  then  by  a  just  retaliation  make  use  of  this 
superiority  of  numbers.  I  have  no  wish,  however, 
to  take  this  advantage,  but  I  will  reserve  to  myself 
the  right  of  choosing  the  time  and  the  place  of  the 
combat.  You  Body  Guards,"  added  he,  as  if  in- 
spired by  a  premonition,  "  you  Body  Guards  ask  for 
civil  war.  You  shall  have  it.  You  call  us  Parisians 
out  :  we  Parisians  will  come.  On  that  day,  sir,  show 
yourself  before  your  squadron  if  you  dare,  and  I 
will  step  out  from  our  ranks  to  meet  you  :  I  give 
you  a  rendezvous  between  the  two  armies  before  the 
gates  of  the  Chateau." 

On  the  morrow,  the  5th  of  October,  as  if  in  fulfil- 
ment of  Lou  vet's  prophecy,  the  Parisians  marched 
on  Versailles,  but  he  called  on  his  enemy  in  vain. 

This  march,  one  of  the  most  impressive  scenes  in 
the  whole  history  of  the  Revolution,  was  undertaken 
on  the  initiative  of  the  women  of  Paris,  who  joined  the 
procession  in  thousands.  The  story  of  the  banquet 
had  spread  panic  among  them,  and  they  imagined  it 
was  the  first  step  in  a  deliberate  scheme  to  reduce 
the  capital  by  famine ;  for,  as  Rivarol  truly  said, 
"  the  people  is  a  sovereign  who  demands  only  that 
he  may  eat :  so  long  as  he  is  digesting  his  majesty 
is  quiet."  The  terrible  scarcity  of  food  gave  colour 
to  the  wild  rumours  which  were  sedulously  spread 
abroad  by  unscrupulous  demagogues,  who,  to  serve 
their  own  ends,  endeavoured  to  sow  distrust  and 
hatred  between  the  King  and  his  subjects.  "  Bread  ! 
give  us  bread  that  our  children  may  live  !  "  cried  the 

40 


LOUVET 

famished  mothers  in  despair ;  and  it  was  resolved  to 
go  to  Versailles,  and  to  demand  bread  of  the  King, 
whom  they  still  looked  upon  as  the  father  of  his 
people.  Led  by  the  conquerors  of  the  Bastille,  the 
women  were  armed  with  improvised  spears,  loaded 
sticks,  pistols,  hatchets,  muskets — anything,  in  fact, 
they  could  lay  their  hands  on.  Most  of  them  were 
in  hideous  rags,  whilst  others,  women  of  the  town, 
were  dressed  in  the  latest  and  most  elegant  fashions, 
or  in  gala  costumes  taken  from  theatrical  wardrobes. 
They  danced  by  the  side  of  the  cannon,  singing  the  re- 
volutionary songs,  which  were  soon  to  become  famous. 
Others  sat  astride  the  guns,  or  sprawled  over  the 
ammunition  wagons.  All  whom  they  met  on  the 
way  were  swept  forward  by  the  tide,  and  forced 
to  join  the  procession.  At  the  head  of  the  women 
rode  the  famous  Theroigne  de  Mericourt,  skilfully 
managing  a  spirited  war-horse,  borrowed  from  the 
Marquis  de  Saint  Huruge,  a  recusant  nobleman,  who 
shared  her  friendship  with  a  comparatively  large 
percentage  of  his  peers.  She  wore  a  steel  helmet, 
ornamented  with  a  long  plume,  which  swept  over  her 
naked  shoulders.  Her  muscular  arm  wielded  a  spear, 
and  she  gave  orders  in  a  sharp  military  tone  of  voice. 
With  her  superb  figure  and  fearless  blue  eyes,  she 
looked  like  Penthesilea  leading  her  Amazons  into 
battle. 

On  reaching  Versailles,  the  women  soon  succeeded 
in  winning  over  the  regiment  of  Flanders,  whilst 
several  companies  of  dragoons  and  chasseurs  dis- 
persed to  fraternize  with  the  people,  and  join  them 
in  menacing  the  loyal  regiments. 

41 


LOUVET 

Louvet  and  Lodoi'ska  were  walking  by  the  gates  of 
the  Chateau,  when  they  narrowly  escaped  being  run 
down  by  a  squadron  of  cavalry  in  a  charge  on  the 
Parisian  advanced  guard.  They  passed  continually 
along  the  ranks  of  the  regiment  of  Flanders,  beseech- 
ing the  soldiers  not  to  fire  on  their  brothers.  The 
arguments  of  a  number  of  beautiful  courtesans, 
specially  enrolled  for  the  purpose,  proved  even  more 
convincing,  and  this  corps,  too,  were  soon  fraternizing 
with  the  people.  Louvet  and  his  friend  continued 
their  efforts  until  they  found  themselves  exposed  to 
a  heavy  fire. 

Shortly  before  daybreak  the  people,  who  had  en- 
camped before  the  Chateau,  finding  that  the  palace 
was  badly  guarded,  owing  to  the  neglect  of  Lafayette, 
forced  their  way  within  the  walls,  and  after  mur- 
dering the  two  guards  who  opposed  them,  rushed  in 
dense  masses  up  the  great  staircase,  uttering  threats 
of  vengeance  against  the  Queen,  who  had  incurred 
their  enmity.  A  handful  of  Gentlemen  of  the  Guard, 
setting  their  backs  to  the  door  of  the  Queen's  apart- 
ment, purchased  with  their  lives  the  few  moments 
necessary  for  her  escape.  Their  bodies  were  one  by 
one  hacked  to  pieces.  At  this  juncture  Lafayette 
arrived  on  the  scene,  and  sought  to  retrieve  his  fault 
by  quelling  the  insurrection,  which  he  knew  it  was  his 
duty  to  have  prevented.  Taking  advantage  of  his 
immense  popularity  with  the  masses,  he  at  length 
succeeded  in  restoring  peace.  The  Royal  Family  was 
conducted  by  the  people  to  Paris,  and  from  this  time 
forward  the  King  was  practically  a  prisoner  in  his 
Palace  of  the  Tuileries. 

42 


LOUVET 

A  few  weeks  later  Mourner,  President  of  the  States 
of  Dauphine,  and  one  of  the  leading  moderates  in 
the  Assembly,  published  a  manifesto,  protesting 
against  the  disorders  of  the  5th  and  6th  of  October. 

This  provided  Louvet  with  an  opportunity  of  dis- 
playing his  powers  as  a  controversialist,  which  he  was 
not  slow  to  seize.  His  reply,  entitled  Paris  justifie, 
at  once  brought  him  to  the  front  as  a  politician,  and 
gained  him  admittance  to  the  Society  of  Jacobins 
(so-called  from  the  convent  where  its  meetings  were 
held),  which  had  just  been  founded  in  Paris.  The 
object  of  this  society  was  to  familiarize  the  people 
with  Revolutionary  ideas,  both  by  the  dissemination 
of  literature  and  by  the  establishment  of  similar 
associations  in  every  corner  of  the  kingdom. 
Above  all,  it  was  formed  to  counteract  the  in- 
fluence of  the  Royalist  and  Clerical  majority  in 
the  Assembly.  It  was  an  open  confederation 
of  the  friends  of  the  people  against  the  half- 
concealed  or  suspected  conspiracies  of  the  aristo- 
cracy. The  Jacobins  formed,  as  it  were,  an  army  of 
vigilance,  which  gradually  spread  itself  over  the 
whole  country.  They  were  the  Jesuits  of  the 
Revolution. 

The  majority  of  its  members  belonged  to  the 
middle  classes,  who  had  long  been  waging  secret 
warfare  against  those  of  the  upper  ranks  :  the  bar- 
rister against  the  magistrate,  who  treated  him  with 
contumely  ;  the  ambitious  solicitor  or  surgeon  envious 
of  the  social  position  of  the  barrister  ;  the  half-starved 
priest  against  the  luxurious  prelate  ;  and  the  rich 
merchant  or  shopkeeper  resenting  the  haughtiness  and 

43 


LOUVET 

exclusiveness  of  the  impoverished  noble.*  Indeed, 
from  their  first  appearance,  this  class  has  been  re- 
sponsible for  most  of  the  great  social  upheavals. 
The  reason  for  this  is  not  far  to  seek.  An 
aristocracy  has  all  to  lose  and  nothing  to  gain 
by  a  change  in  the  established  order  of  things ; 
whilst  the  energy  of  the  poor  is  wholly  taken  up 
by  the  daily  struggle  for  existence.  The  middle 
classes  alone  stand  to  benefit  by  revolutions ;  and 
if  they  can  succeed  in  dazzling  the  populace  by 
throwing  a  specious  light  on  the  advantages  of 
change,  other  things  being  equal,  it  is  not  difficult  for 
them  to  attain  power.  This  is  precisely  what  hap- 
pened in  the  French  Revolution.  Apart  from  a  small 
band  of  idealists,  who  were  responsible  for  all  that 
was  best  in  the  Revolution,  it  was  largely  the  work 
of  noisy,  ambitious,  and,  with  few  exceptions,  com- 
monplace demagogues,  backed  by  a  swarm  of  briefless 
barristers,  tavern  loafers,  and  hungry  irresponsible 
journalists,  drunk  with  vanity,  jealousy  and  egotism. 

Speaking  of  the  Revolution,  a  lady  once  remarked  in 
the  presence  of  Delille  :  "  All  must  recognize  in  it  the 
hand  of  God."  "  And  of  man,"  added  Delille. 

At  first,  the  Jacobins  were  not  opposed  to  the 
monarchy  as  such ;  they  merely  agitated  for  an 
amended  constitution ;  but  they  were  tired  of  "  the 
absolute  monarchy  tempered  by  epigrams "  of  the 
ancien  regime,  and  were  determined  to  have  a  more 
popular  form  of  government.  It  was  only  when 
they  despaired  of  persuading  the  King  to  take  this 
momentous  step  that  they  adopted  a  frankly  anti- 

*  Micheletj 

44 


LOUVET 

monarchical  policy.  Thenceforward,  each  day  saw 
the  growth  of  this  wonderful  political  organization, 
which  after  the  fall  of  the  monarchy,  and  under  the 
ascendancy  of  Robespierre,  practically  usurped  the 
supreme  power  in  the  State. 

In  the  early  days  of  the  Society,  its  membership 
was  strictly  limited  to  Deputies  of  the  popular  party 
in  the  Assembly,  and  to  authors  or  orators  who  had 
distinguished  themselves  in  the  service  of  the  Revo- 
lution. 

Persuaded  that  his  country  had  many  cleverer 
defenders  in  the  tribune  than  himself,  Louvet  seldom 
spoke  at  the  meetings  of  the  Jacobins  ;  but  it  was 
soon  found  that  he  shrank  from  none  of  those  obscure 
and  onerous  duties  incidental  to  the  working  of  a 
great  society,  which  few  were  found  willing  to  under- 
take. His  leisure  he  devoted  to  his  friends,  and  to 
the  literary  pursuits  dear  to  him.  Unhappily  he  felt 
it  his  duty  to  enlist  his  art  as  a  story-teller  into  the 
service  of  his  political  opinions.  But  Art  is  a  jealous 
mistress,  and  will  not  tolerate  a  divided  allegiance. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

Emilie  de  Varmont — Robespierre's  joke — Louvet  as  a  dramatist — 
His  wit — The  quarrel  between  King  and  Legislature — The 
Flight  to  Varennes — Marat's  foresight — The  Revolution  in  the 
Provinces — The  first  French  Republic — A  King's  business — 
Louis'  double-dealing — He  takes  the  oath — End  of  the  first 
phase  of  the  Revolution. 

IT  will  be  remembered  that  in  his  preface  to 
Faublas  Louvet  comforts  those  critics  who  found 
fault  with  his  romance  on  the  grounds  of  its  gaiety, 
by  saying  that  in  a  few  years'  time  he  might  perhaps 
"  write  a  duller  one  which  would  please  them  better." 
In  1790  he  published  Emilie  de  Varmont,  ou  le  Divorce 
Necessaire  ;  et  les  Amours  du  Cure  Sevin  ;  and  the 
first  part  of  his  prophecy  was  fulfilled.  The  work  is 
in  three  small  volumes  uniform  with  Faublas,  and 
although  from  the  artistic  point  of  view  it  will  not 
bear  comparison  with  that  incomparable  romance, 
it  was,  nevertheless,  eminently  successful,  and  the 
refrain  of  the  unhappy  curb's  conversation,  "  On 
devrait  bien  marier  les  pretres,"  became  a  popular 
catch  phrase  of  the  streets  of  Paris. 

As  its  title  announces,  this  romance,  which  is  in 
epistolary  form,  is  a  plea  for  more  liberal  views  and 
a  greater  facility  of  divorce.  The  fact  that  Madame 
Cholet  had  for  years  past  vainly  sought  a  legal  separa- 
tion from  her  husband  in  order  to  marry  Louvet 
had  probably  not  a  little  to  do  with  his  choice  of  a 

46 


LOUVET 

subject ;  and  although  this  personal  element  was 
calculated  to  lessen  neither  the  force  of  his  eloquence 
nor  the  cogency  of  his  reasoning,  the  story  must  be 
acknowledged  a  failure.  Yet,  it  was  not  without 
trouble  that  the  author  pleases  us  less :  there  is 
abundant  evidence  of  careful  workmanship. 

The  secondary  object  of  the  book  was  to  show  the 
necessity  for  the  marriage  of  priests.  It  is  signifi- 
cant that  on  the  3oth  of  May  of  the  same  year,  1790  ? 
Robespierre  formally  moved  the  adoption  of  this 
measure  in  the  Assembly ;  and  there  is  little  doubt 
that  this  fact  was  mainly  responsible  for  his  popu- 
larity among  the  clergy.  Thousands  of  priests  wrote 
from  every  corner  of  France,  expressing  their  warmest 
gratitude  to  him  for  bringing  forward  this  question. 
He  received  reams  of  poems  in  his  praise,  ranging  from 
five  hundred  to  fifteen  hundred  verses,  not  only  in 
French,  but  in  Greek,  Latin,  and  Hebrew.  "It  is 
said  there  are  no  longer  any  poets,"  he  remarked  to  a 
friend  with  whom  he  was  dining,  "  but  you  see  that 
I  can  make  some."  But  a  joke  on  Robespierre's 
lips  was  no  laughing  matter. 

It  is  more  than  probable  that  Robespierre  owed  the 
conception  of  this  bill  to  Louvet,  such  a  sensible 
measure  would  scarcely  have  occurred  to  his  arid 
mind.  Moreover,  Madame  Roland  has  related  that 
it  was  his  constant  practice,  in  whatever  society  he 
found  himself,  to  listen  attentively  to  the  opinions  of 
others,  rarely  to  give  his  own,  and  on  the  morrow  to 
echo  in  the  tribune  all  that  his  friends  had  said  the 
evening  before.  Literary  vanity,  as  M.  Taine 
acutely  remarked,  was  a  dominant  trait  of  his 

47 


LOUVET 

character,  and  it  may  be  that  this  fact  partly  accounts 
for  the  bitter  hatred  he  conceived  for  the  brilliant 
author  of  Faublas. 

In  the  following  year  Louvet  wrote  a  satirical 
comedy  on  the  emigrant  nobility  and  clergy  gathered 
at  Coblenz,  which  succeeded  in  keeping  the  boards 
for  twenty-five  nights  at  the  Theatre  de  Moliere ; 
this  was  entitled  La  Grande  Revue  des  Armees  Noire 
et  Blanche.  Another  play,  L'Anobli  consfiirateur, 
ou  le  Bourgeois  Gentilhomme  du  XVIIIe  siecle,  threw 
ridicule  on  the  nobility  in  general,  and  the  younger 
Mirabeau — nicknamed  Tonneau,  because  he  was 
said  to  resemble  a  hogshead,  both  in  shape  and  con- 
tents— and  the  Abbe"  Maury,  the  celebrated  Royalist 
orator,  in  particular.  Louvet  finished  the  play  just 
six  weeks  before  the  passing  of  the  decree  which 
abolished  titles  of  nobility.  Taking  his  work  to  the 
Theatre  Fransais,  it  was  provisionally  accepted,  and 
a  day  was  appointed  for  the  reading.  The  dramatist 
had  not  read  far  before  he  noticed  unmistakable 
signs  of  uneasiness  on  the  faces  of  the  two  managers. 
At  length  one  of  them  rose  to  shut  all  the  doors. 
Louvet  had  scarcely  begun  the  fourth  act  when  the 
fidgetiness  of  his  hearers  became  even  more  notice- 
able. At  length  one  of  the  managers,  named  Dor- 
feuille,  could  contain  himself  no  longer,  and  exclaimed: 

"  To  play  this  piece,  sir,  we  should  need  a  battery 
of  cannon  at  our  backs." 

This  rebuff  very  naturally  caused  Louvet  to  suspect 
Dorfeuille's  patriotism.  He  made  inquiries,  and 
found  the  manager  to  be  in  receipt  of  a  civil  list 
pension,  which  he  held  on  condition  of  producing  only 

48 


LOUVET 

such  plays  as  met  with  the  approval  of  the  Court 
party ;  whilst,  in  1793,  adds  Louvet,  this  Royalist 
pensioner  was  suddenly  transformed  into  a  furious 
Jacobin.  That  these  charges  were  not  unfounded  is 
proved  by  the  fact  that  when  Louvet  wrote,  as 
quoted  above,  this  same  Dorfeuille  presided  over  the 
Revolutionary  Commission  at  Lyons,  which  daily 
massacred  so  many  of  its  inhabitants  that  the  city 
reeked  like  a  slaughter-house,  and  the  gutters  ran 
red  with  blood.* 

Louvet  was  equally  unsuccessful  with  his  *'  V Elec- 
tion et  Faudience  du  Grand  Lama  Sispi  (Pie  Six)," 
a  wild  extravaganza  on  the  Court  of  Rome  and  the 
political  situation  generally,  which  tells  how  a  Chinese 
vagabond,  arriving  in  Tibet  at  the  moment  when 
the  death  of  the  Grand  Lama  is  announced,  is  found 
to  bear  such  a  strong  resemblance  to  the  deceased 
pontiff,  that  he  is  elected  his  successor.  Soon  after 
his  installation,  a  number  of  Europeans  reach  his 
court  to  solicit  his  maledictions  against  the  Third 
Estate  of  France.  Among  these  emigrants  Sispi 
recognizes  Mirabeau,  Calonne,  and  the  Queen's 
favourite,  the  Duchesse  de  Polignac.  They  complain 
bitterly  of  the  changes  which  have  lately  taken  place 
in  their  country,  and  fully  expect  to  have  his  sym- 

*  In  his  Prisons  de  Lyons,  Delandine  relates  an  anecdote  (in 
connection  with  Dorfeuille's  presidency  at  the  trial  of  Mathon-de- 
la-Cour,  a  philanthropist  and  man  of  letters,  which  clearly  shows 
what  manner  of  man  he  was.  "  You  are  a  noble,"  said  Dorfeuille, 
when  the  prisoner  was  brought  before  him  ;  "  you  did  not  leave 
Lyons  during  the  siege  ;  read  the  decree  ;  you  can  pronounce  your 
own  doom."  Like  the  Athenian  Lysias,  when  he  cried,  "  It  is  not 
I,  Erastothenes,  it  is  the  law  that  condemns  thee,"  he  sought  to 
wash  his  hands  of  the  death  of  a  just  man. 

49  4 


LOUVET 

pathy.  At  first,  however,  Sispi  finds  these  changes 
excellent  in  every  way ;  but  when  they  explain  to 
him  how  much  he  loses  by  them,  he  becomes  even 
more  indignant  than  they  are.  The  play  is  brilliantly 
witty,  and  the  quips  at  royalty  and  other  topical 
allusions  are  hardy  in  the  extreme.  Under  the  cir- 
cumstances, it  was  considered  too  strong  food  for  the 
times,  and  the  author  himself  was  not  surprised  to  find 
no  manager  willing  to  incur  the  risk  of  performing  it. 
The  grave  posture  of  affairs  in  July,  1790,  caused 
Louvet  to  abandon  his  career  as  a  dramatist  in  order 
to  devote  all  his  energies  to  the  service  of  his  party. 
On  the  twelfth  of  that  month  the  Assembly  decreed 
the  civil  constitution  of  the  clergy.  This  measure 
did  more  than  anything  else  to  embitter  the  quarrel 
between  the  King  and  the  Legislature,  and  it  was  only 
after  a  month's  painful  struggle — and  even  then 
with  certain  mental  reservations — that  he  could  be 
induced  to  give  his  assent  to  an  edict  in  every  way 
opposed  to  his  conscience  and  to  his  religious  con- 
victions. As-  Voltaire's  Homme  d  Quarante  ecus 
remarked  :  "It  so  often  happens  that  one  is  at  a 
loss  for  a  reply  to  an  argument,  and  yet  is  not  con- 
vinced." It  was  thus  with  Louis  XVI.  when  he 
perceived  that  it  was  the  intention  of  the  Assembly 
to  kill  the  monarchy  by  a  policy  of  pin-pricks.  Little 
wonder  that  he  took  to  those  tortuous  ways  and 
secret  negotiations  with  his  Austrian  brother-in-law, 
which  were  destined  to  ruin  him.  He  determined  to 
fly  from  a  situation  which  was  fast  becoming  intoler- 
able. His  design  was  to  make  a  dash  for  the  army 
of  the  Marquis  de  Bouille,  which  awaited  him  on 

50 


LOUVET 

the  Belgian  frontier,  and  whilst  the  Austrians  made  a 
diversion  by  suddenly  mobilizing,  to  march  on  Paris 
with  all  the  loyal  regiments  he  could  muster. 

It  was  not  until  the  late  spring  of  1791  that  he 
found  an  opportunity  of  putting  his  plan  into  execu- 
tion. On  the  night  of  the  20 th  to  2ist  of  June  the 
Royal  Family  fled  in  disguise  from  the  Tuileries. 
The  King  left  behind  him  a  Proclamation  in  which 
he  recapitulated  all  his  grievances,  and  withdrew  his 
consent  to  all  the  measures  forced  upon  him  since  the 
return  from  Versailles.  The  news  of  the  King's 
flight  spread  like  wildfire,  and  struck  terror  into  the 
hearts  of  all  members  of  the  community.  The  people 
felt  themselves  betrayed,  and  the  leaders  of  the 
factions  found  it  an  easy  matter  to  convince  them 
that  Louis  was  actively  plotting  to  restore  the 
despotism  of  the  ancien  regime  by  the  aid  of  foreign 
arms.  The  entire  French  nation  had  one  of  those 
periodical  attacks  of  "  nerves  "  to  which  they  are 
so  peculiarly  liable.  The  journals  set  up  a  howl  of 
fury.  The  King's  evasion  was  a  direct  attack  on 
the  liberty  of  his  subjects  ;  it  was  nothing  less  than 
a  crime.  As  a  matter  of  fact,  it  was  "  worse  than  a 
crime,  it  was  a  blunder,"  for  it  was  unsuccessful ; 
and  from  that  day  the  monarchy  in  France  was  past 
praying  for. 

During  this  crisis  one  man  showed  remarkable 
political  foresight,  and  that  man  was  Marat.  He 
alone  perceived  that  since  the  King  had  abandoned 
the  State,  the  only  means  of  averting  anarchy 
was  to  appoint  a  military  dictator.  In  his  Ami  du 
Peuple  of  the  22nd  June  he  earnestly  exhorted  the 

51  4* 


LOUVET 

people  to  accept  this  means  of  salvation,  the  only  one 
remaining  to^them.  "  If  you  refuse  to  take  my  advice 
in  this^matter,"  said  he,  "  your  blood  be  on  your  own 
heads.  I  leave  you  to  your  fate,  for  my  labour  has 
been  in  vain."  Marat's  good  sense  on  this  occasion 
leads  inevitably  to  the  conclusion  that  at  this  time 
he  was  something  more  than  the  homicidal  maniac 
he  afterwards  became. 

The  alarm,  however,  was  soon  dispelled  by  the 
news  that  the  Royal  Family  had  been  recognized  and 
arrested  at  Varennes.  Petion,  Barnave  and  Latour- 
Maubourg  were  at  once  deputed  to  escort  them 
back  to  Paris.  They  re-entered  the  capital  by  the 
Faubourg  Saint-Antoine  on  the  25th  of  June. 

From  this  time  the  provinces  began  to  play  an 
important  part  in  the  drama  of  the  Revolution. 
Hitherto  the  provincials  had  remained  indifferent  to, 
or  even  ignorant  of,  the  gravest  events  in  Paris.  At 
Clermont,  wrote  Arthur  Young,  "  I  dined  or  supped 
five  times  at  the  table  d'hote,  with  from  twenty  to 
thirty  merchants,  tradesmen,  officers,  etc.,  and  it  is 
not  easy  to  express  the  insignificance,  the  inanity  of 
their  conversation.  Scarcely  any  politics  at  a 
moment  when  every  bosom  ought  to  beat  with  none 
but  political  sensations.  The  ignorance  or  the  stu- 
pidity of  these  people  must  be  absolutely  incredible  ; 
not  a  week  passes  without  their  country  abounding 
with  events  that  are  analyzed  and  debated  by  the 
carpenters  and  blacksmiths  of  England."  When  he 
asked  their  opinion  on  the  affairs  of  the  country, 
they  replied :  "  We  are  of  the  provinces,  and  must 
wait  to  know  what  is  going  on  in  Paris." 

52 


LOUVET 

This  moral  and  intellectual  stagnation  of  the  pro- 
vincials made  them  the  easy  dupes  of  the  Jacobin 
emissaries,  who  soon  began  to  infest  the  country ; 
whilst  their  entire  lack  of  initiative  accounts  for  their 
tame  submission  to  the  domination  of  the  capital 
during  the  Reign  of  Terror. 

So  far  as  anything  was  capable  of  arousing  the 
provincials  to  take  a  languid  interest  in  the  political 
situation,  it  was  the  news  of  the  King's  flight ;  indeed, 
this  was  one  of  the  few  events  of  the  first  phase  of 
the  Revolution  which  stirred  the  whole  nation  to  its 
depths. 

The  immediate  result  of  the  flight  was  the  decree 
by  which  the  Assembly  suspended  the  King  from  his 
office  until  he  had  accepted  the  Constitution,  and  for 
three  months  France  was  a  republic.  During  this 
time  it  was  triumphantly  demonstrated  that  the 
people  were  at  least  no  worse  off  under  this  form  of 
government  than  they  had  been  under  the  monarchy. 
It  was  the  opportunity  for  which  the  few  men  who 
at  that  time  professed  Republican  opinions  had 
been  waiting,  and  they  used  it  to  good  advantage. 
But  the  most  convincing  arguments  against  the 
monarchy  were  the  actions  of  the  King  himself ;  and 
if  the  eloquence  of  Brissot  and  Camille  Desmoulins 
converted  their  thousands,  the  subterfuges  of  the 
King  converted  their  tens  of  thousands. 

There  were  two  courses  open  to  Louis  at  this 
juncture  :  to  fight  or  to  abdicate.  He  had  not  suffi- 
cient decision  of  character  to  take  the  first,  and 
it  is  probable  that  the  Queen  dissuaded  him  from 
the  second.  Louis  submitted  to  everything.  On 

53 


LOUVET 

September  I4th  he  solemnly  swore  to  maintain  and 
defend  the  Constitution,  whilst  in  his  heart  he 
nourished  the  hope  of  soon  being  in  a  position  to 
trample  it  underfoot.  Yet  it  is  scarcely  surprising 
that  the  King  should  have  displayed  little  enthusiasm 
for  the  principles  of  the  Revolution ;  he  might 
reasonably  have  exclaimed  with  his  brother-in-law, 
the  Emperor  Joseph  II.,  "  Cest  mon  metier,  d  moi, 
d'etre  royaliste." 

So  long  as  it  seemed  possible  to  regard  the  King 
as  the  head  of  the  Revolution,  anti-monarchical 
opinions  were  repugnant  to  the  vast  majority  of  the 
nation,  and  the  few  men  who  consistently  preached 
Republican  doctrines  were  looked  upon  as  cranks.* 
But  when  Louis  was  openly  convicted  of  double- 
dealing,  people  began  to  question  the  utility  of  here- 
ditary monarchy,  and  when  once  this  spirit  of  inquiry 
got  abroad  hi  the  land,  it  was  an  easy  step  to  the 
conclusion  that  the  monarch  was  nothing  more  than 
"  a  stick  in  the  wheel."  And  since  the  Assembly 
had  deliberately  reduced  the  executive  power  to  a 
mockery,  and  not  only  denied  the  King  all  respect, 
but  even  the  amount  of  personal  liberty  enjoyed  by 
the  meanest  of  his  subjects,  the  conclusion  was  a  per- 
fectly just  one.  "  When  sovereignty,"  says  Taine, 
"  becomes  transformed  into  a  sinecure,  it  becomes 
burdensome  without  being  useful,  and  on  becoming 
burdensome  without  being  useful,  it  is  overthrown." 

*  It  is  interesting  to  note  that  both  Marat  and  Robespierre  were 
ardent  Royalists  as  late  as  the  summer  of  1791  ;  and  when  the 
question  of  establishing  a  republic  was  mooted  in  the  salon  of 
Madame  Roland,  Robespierre  asked  with  a  sneer,  "  What  is  a 
republic  ?  " 

54 


LOUVET 

The  ceremony  of  the  King's  oath  to  the  new  Consti- 
tution took  place  on  September  i4th,  1791,  and  all 
moderate  men  breathed  a  sigh  of  relief,  believing  and 
hoping  that,  since  all  they  had  fought  for  was  won, 
the  Revolution  had  now  run  its  course,  and  things 
would  speedily  settle  down  to  the  entire  satisfaction 
of  all  parties.  But  they  reckoned  without  the 
Jacobins. 


55 


CHAPTER  V 

Robespierre's  cunning — First  meeting  of  the  Legislative  Assembly 
— The  Parties — Brissot — Vergniaud — Rise  of  the  Girondists — 
Louvet  is  convinced  of  the  King's  duplicity — He  discusses  his 
plans  with  Lodoiska — Her  fears — Louvet  is  elected  to  serve 
on  the  Jacobins'  Committee  of  Correspondence — His  colleagues. 

SHORTLY  before  the  dissolution  of  the  Constituent 
Assembly  it  had  decreed,  on  the  motion  of 
Robespierre,  that  none  of  its  members  should  be 
eligible  for  a  seat  in  the  next  legislature.  It  is 
difficult  to  conceive  what  could  have  persuaded  the 
Assembly  to  sanction  a  measure  which  delivered  their 
successors,  as  it  were,  bound  into  the  hands  of  the 
Jacobins.  This  was,  perhaps,  the  most  cunning  of  all 
the  cunning  moves  which  Robespierre  made  in  the  game 
he  was  playing.  By  this  means  he  not  only  eliminated 
from  active  politics  the  many  able  royalists  who 
had  opposed  him  in  the  House,  but  ensured  the 
election  of  a  large  number  of  the  nominees  of  the 
Jacobins,  who  at  this  time  began  to  regard  him  as 
their  chief.  Every  possible  means,  legal  or  illegal, 
was  resorted  to  by  the  Society  to  influence  the  elections. 
Voters  were  openly  threatened,  and  the  secrecy  of  the 
ballot  was  shamelessly  violated. 

When  the  Legislative  Assembly  met  on  October  ist, 
there  were  already  three  distinct  parties.  On  the 
right  sat  a  small  number  of  royalists  side  by  side  with 
the  Feuillants,  composed  of  those  who  favoured  a 

56 


LOUVET 

constitutional  government,  and  thought  the  Revolu- 
tion had  now  gone  far  enough.  These  were  led  from 
without  by  Barnave,  Duport,  and  the  Lameths,  who 
had  recently  quitted  the  Jacobin  Club  to  found  that 
of  the  Feuillants. 

In  the  centre  sat  an  actual  majority  of  the  House, 
composed  for  the  most  part  of  men  who  had  no 
definite  policy,  silent  working  members,  whose  votes 
were  generally  reserved  for  the  predominant  party, 
whichever  that  party  might  be. 

On  the  left  sat  the  extremists,  whose  policy  was 
largely  directed  by  Robespierre,  Danton,  and  Marat, 
from  without.  Among  them  sat  the  group  of  deputies 
who  were  soon  to  break  away  from  the  Jacobins  on 
the  question  of  the  war  with  Austria,  although  at 
first  there  was  no  perceptible  difference  of  opinion 
between  all  the  members  of  the  Left.  Before  many 
weeks  had  passed,  however,  these  men  came  to  be 
known  as  Brissotins,  after  the  most  important 
member  of  the  group,  Jean  Pierre  Brissot,  an  en- 
lightened publicist  and  able  journalist,  well-known 
as  the  editor  of  the  Patriots  Fran$ais,  a  journal  of 
pronounced  republican  views. 

Brissot 's  career  had  been  a  strange  one.  The 
thirteenth  child  of  a  small  innkeeper  at  Chartres, 
he  had  as  a  youth  come  to  Paris  to  enter  an  attorney's 
office,  in  which  position  Robespierre  preceded  him. 
When  still  very  young,  he  formulated  a  theory  of 
criminal  law,  which  he  had  intended  to  submit  to  Vol- 
taire, but  at  the  great  man's  door  his  courage  failed  him 
and  he  was  about  to  beat  a  hasty  retreat,  when  he  was 
stopped  by  a  beautiful  and  elegantly  dressed  woman. 

57 


LOUVET 

As  she  had  a  kindly  and  sympathetic  face,  Brissot 
made  a  clean  breast  of  the  matter,  and  the  lady 
was  so  touched  by  his  disappointment  that  she  took 
him  back  and  introduced  him  to  Voltaire's  host,  the 
Marquis  de  Villette,  and  through  him  the  manuscript 
was  submitted  to  the  aged  philosopher,  who  wrote  a 
warmly  eulogistic  letter  to  the  author. 

Brissot's  unknown  friend  was  Madame  Dubarry, 
and  he  never  tired  of  testifying  to  the  kind  heart  of 
the  reigning  favourite.  He  next  became  translator 
on  the  staff  of  the  Courrier  de  I' Europe  at  Boulogne ; 
whilst  here  he  won  two  literary  prizes  offered  by  the 
Academy  of  Chalons,  and  married  Mile.  Felicite 
Dupont, .  a  young  lady  associated  with  Madame  de 
Genlis  in  the  education  of  the  Orleans  princesses. 

From  Boulogne  he  crossed  to  England,  and  founded 
the  European  Academy  of  Science,  a  rickety,  ill- 
conceived  scheme,  which  after  a  brief  and  troubled 
existence,  came  to  an  untimely  end. 

Returning  to  France,  Brissot  made  the  acquaint- 
ance of  the  interior  of  the  Bastille  for  a  lampoon 
on  the  Queen,  which  he  had  never  heard  of ;  but 
the  fine  gentlemen  who  at  that  time  conducted 
the  affairs  of  the  nation  could  not  be  expected  to 
waste  their  time  in  examining  evidence,  especially 
when  it  related  to  a  man  so  little  to  their  mind  as 
Brissot.  He  owed  his  release,  after  six  weeks'  im- 
prisonment, to  the  solicitations  of  Mme.  de  Genlis, 
supported  by  those  of  Lord  Mansfield,  whose  friend- 
ship he  had  made  when  in  England.  On  his  libera- 
tion, he  went  to  Switzerland,  and  in  collaboration 
with  Clavi&re,  the  future  Girondist  minister,  wrote 

58 


From  an  engraving  by  Levachez. 


Designed  and  engraved  by  Duplessis  Berteaux. 

BRISSOT. 


[To  face  page  58. 


LOUVET 

several  works  on  finance,  which  were  published 
in  the  name  of  Mirabeau.  Again  crossing  to  Eng- 
land, probably  as  a  secret  service  agent,  he  picked 
up  a  wide  and  peculiar  knowledge  of  the  shadier 
kinds  of  diplomatic  intrigue  of  his  day ;  he  also 
made  the  acquaintance  of  several  leading  Quakers, 
and  became  so  interested  in  the  question  of  the 
abolition  of  slavery  that  on  his  return  to  France  he 
again  associated  himself  with  Mirabeau  and  Claviere 
in  the  foundation  of  the  Societe  des  Amis  des  Noirs. 
He  was  next  sent  to  the  United  States  to  study  and 
report  on  the  question  of  emancipation,  with  a  view 
to  the  liberation  of  the  slaves  in  the  French  Colonies. 
When  he  returned,  the  Revolution  had  begun.  He 
threw  himself  with  enthusiasm  into  the  cause,  and 
after  publishing  an  enormous  number  of  revolutionary 
pamphlets,  he  founded  the  Patriote  Franpais,  which 
soon  made  his  name  famous  throughout  Europe. 

Madame  Roland,  who  knew  him  intimately,  says  of 
Brissot : 

"  The  simplicity  of  his  manners,  his  frankness,  his 
natural  negligence,  seemed  to  me  in  perfect  harmony 
with  the  austerity  of  his  principles  ;  but  I  found  in 
him  a  kind  of  lightness  both  of  mind  and  character 
not  altogether  becoming  the  gravity  of  a  philosopher  ; 
this  always  pained  me,  and  his  enemies  made  the  most 
of  it.  For  all  that,  the  more  I  saw  of  him,  the  more 
I  esteemed  him.  It  would  be  impossible  to  find  a 
more  entire  disinterestedness  united  to  a  more  whole- 
hearted zeal  for  the  public  welfare,  or  to  give  oneself 
to  well  doing  with  a  greater  forgetfulness  of  self.  His 
writings  have  all  the  authority  of  reason,  justice  and 

59 


LOUVET 

enlightenment ;  though  as  a  man  Brissot  is  entirely 
lacking  in  dignity.  He  is  the  best  of  men,  a  good 
husband,  a  tender  father,  a  faithful  friend,  a  virtuous 
citizen  ;  his  society  is  as  agreeable  as  his  character  is 
obliging ;  confiding  to  the  verge  of  imprudence, 
gay,  naive,  disingenuous  as  a  boy  of  fifteen,  he  was 
made  to  live  with  the  wise,  and  to  be  the  dupe  of  the 
wicked.  A  learned  publicist,  devoted  from  his  youth 
to  the  study  of  social  questions,  and  of  the  means 
of  furthering  the  happiness  of  the  human  race,  he 
understands  man  perfectly,  but  knows  nothing  of 
men.  He  recognizes  that  vices  exist,  but  cannot  believe 
hmi  vicious  who  speaks  to  him  with  a  fair  tongue  ; 
and  when  at  length  he  recognizes  anyone  as  such,  he 
pities  him,  treats  him  as  one  would  do  an  insane 
person,  but  without  distrusting  him.  He  cannot 
hate ;  we  might  say  that  his  soul,  sensitive  as  it  is, 
has  not  sufficient  solidity  to  entertain  such  a  vigorous 
sentiment.  With  wide  knowledge,  he  has  an  extreme 
facility  of  work,  and  composes  a  treatise  as  another 
would  copy  out  a  song." 

Yet  this  generous  philanthropist  has  been,  and  is 
still,  described,  by  many  historians  of  the  Revolu- 
tion, as  a  base  intriguer,  a  thoroughly  insincere  and 
self-seeking  political  adventurer. 

"  So  little  was  he  fitted  for  intrigue,"  wrote  Buzot, 
"  that  the  least  idea  of  artifice  or  dissimulation  was  a 
torture  to  him.  We  often  made  fun  of  his  simplicity, 
of  his  extreme  good  nature,  and  we  used  to  say 
jestingly,  '  Of  all  possible  Brissotins,  he  is  certainly 
the  least  Brissotin  ! '  " 

It  is  curious  how  this  idea  of  Brissot's  intrigues 

60 


LOUVET 

got  abroad.  Even  the  bitterest  of  his  opponents 
did  not  seriously  believe  in  the  accusation ;  and 
Camille  Desmoulins,  who  certainly  did  not  love  him, 
tells  how  Danton  delighted  to  tease  Brissot  by  shaking 
his  finger  at  him  waggishly,  and  saying,  "  Brissot, 
tu  es  Brissotin." 

Yet  it  must  be  admitted  that  Brissot  had  not  the 
qualities  essential  to  the  good  party  leader ;  he  was 
at  once  too  candid  and  too  uncompromising,  and  the 
facility  of  his  character  made  him  too  open  to  the 
influence  of  his  friends. 

Chief  among  the  Deputies  who  gathered  around 
Brissot  in  the  Assembly  were  the  three  young  barristers 
of  Bordeaux,  Vergniaud,  Guadet,  and  Gensonne. 
All  three  had  won  fame  in  their  profession  ;  and  they 
had  no  sooner  been  elected  to  the  Assembly  than  they 
made  France  ring  with  their  eloquence.  Their  mar- 
vellous speeches  won  them  such  high  reputation  that, 
when  at  length  there  was  a  split  in  the  ranks  of  the 
Jacobins,  those  who  followed  Brissot  were  no  longer 
named  Brissotins,  but  Girondists,  after  the  name  of  the 
Department  represented  by  these  great  orators. 

Pierre  Victurnien  Vergniaud,  perhaps  the  greatest 
political  orator  France  ever  produced,  was  the  son 
of  an  army  contractor  of  Limoges.  He  early  gave 
promise  of  great  talents  ;  and  whilst  at  school,  a 
poem  of  his  composition  attracted  the  attention 
of  Turgot,  at  that  time  intendant  of  Limoges  in  the 
Limousin,  who  secured  for  him  a  bursarship  at  the 
College  Duplessis  at  Paris,  where  he  numbered  among 
his  schoolfellows  Lafayette  and  Gorsas,  the  future 

61 


LOUVET 

Girondist  journalist.  His  easy  manners,  his  wit,  and 
an  unusual  facility  of  versification,  won  his  entrance 
into  the  salons  of  a  society  where  such  gifts  were  more 
highly  prized  than  any  others.  In  1778,  he  made 
the  acquaintance  of  Thomas,  the  Academician,  who 
introduced  him  to  Dupaty,  President  of  the  Parle- 
ment  at  Bordeaux.  The  latter  was  so  much  struck 
by  the  young  man's  abilities  that  he  recommended 
him  to  read  for  the  Bar,  and  offered  to  pay  all  ex- 
penses whilst  he  was  completing  his  studies. 
Vergniaud  accordingly  established  himself  at  Bor- 
deaux, where  he  took  his  degree  of  bachelor  of  law 
in  April,  1781,  and  was  admitted  avocat  in  the  same 
year.  Dupaty  then  made  him  his  secretary,  and  pro- 
cured him  many  important  cases. 

Vergniaud  soon  made  his  mark,  and  almost  from 
his  debut  was  acknowledged  as  the  most  brilliant  of 
the.  long  line  of  orators  who  had  rendered  the  Bar 
of  Bordeaux  illustrious. 

There  was  nothing  remarkable  about  the  personal 
appearance  of  Vergniaud,  unless,  indeed,  it  was 
his  ugliness.  His  features  were  heavy,  and  devoid 
of  expression ;  his  figure  was  ungainly  and  his  step 
languid.  But  at  the  Bar  or  in  the  tribune,  his  features 
became  animated,  the  black  eyes  flashed  beneath  the 
overhanging  brows,  whilst  his  golden  voice  electri- 
fied his  audience  and  carried  all  before  it. 

His  lovable  disposition  and  extreme  good  nature 
won  him  many  devoted  friends,  and  even  his  enemies 
paid  tribute  to  the  staunchness  and  nobility  of  his 
character.  Perhaps  the  greatest  charm  of  his  elo- 
quence lay  in  the  wide  and  tolerant  humanity  so 

62 


From  a  lithograph  by  Dclpzch,  after  a  drawing  by  Maurier. 

VERGNIAUD. 


[To  face  page  62. 


characteristic  of  all  his  speeches.  "  You  have  sought 
to  consummate  the  Revolution  by  terror,"  said  he 
in  his  reply  to  Robespierre's  attack  on  the  Girondists ; 
"  I  should  have  wished  to  consummate  it  by  love." 

Vergniaud's  one  great  fault  was  an  incurable 
indolence.  He  would  work  only  to  secure  the  barest 
necessities  of  life.  It  is  related  that  an  attorney  one 
day  brought  him  two  important  cases.  Having 
listened  to  the  details,  Vergniaud  yawned,  stretched 
himself,  then  going  to  his  desk  and  finding  that  he 
had  still  a  little  money  left,  arose,  and,  stepping  to 
the  door,  bowed  his  client  from  the  room,  begging  him 
to  address  himself  elsewhere. 

Such  were  the  men  with  whom  Louvet  now  allied 
himself.  Whilst  they  fought  for  the  Revolution  in 
the  Legislative  Assembly,  he  made  his  activity  felt 
without. 

"  Towards  the  end  of  1791,"  says  he,  "  everything 
announced  that  the  French  people  were  shamefully  be- 
trayed. Nearly  all  those  who  had  defended  the  cause 
when  the  Constituent  Assembly  was  in  session,  now  one 
by  one  abandoned  it.  In  the  Legislative  Assembly, 
Brissot,  Vergniaud,  Guadet  and  other  good  patriots 
found  themselves  in  an  alarming  minority.  Writers, 
impostors,  fanatical  priests,  perfidious  generals,  sedi- 
tious emigrants,  intriguing  priests,  princes,  ambitious 
despots  within ;  whilst  the  enemy,  planning  our 
destruction  without,  were  subsidized,  favoured  and 
protected  by  the  Court  of  France.  It  became  evident 
that  Louis  XVI.  had  accepted  the  Constitution  only 
that  he  might  destroy  it.  The  hour  of  a  serious 
revolution  had  struck.  Since  Louis  broke  his  oath, 

63 


LOUVET 

he  absolved  us  from  ours ;  since  he  endeavoured  by 
every  crime  to  re-establish  the  old  despotism,  we 
determined  to  employ  every  virtue  in  order  to  attain 
the  Republic." 

Louvet  resolved  to  throw  himself  into  the  work 
with  renewed  ardour.  It  was  not  without  pain  that 
Lodoi'ska  listened  to  his  new  plans.  But  when  the 
first  bitterness  of  disappointment  had  passed,  she 
overcame  the  womanly  temptation  to  set  her  love 
above  what  he  thought  his  duty  by  the  tyranny  of 
tears. 

"  For  a  moment,"  he  wrote,  "  she  was  seized  with 
irresolution.  She  saw  all  the  misery  into  which  the 
country  would  be  plunged  by  a  new  revolution ;  and 
the  no  less  terrible  evils  which  were  perhaps  in  store 
for  its  authors.  She  saw  the  kings  of  the  earth 
leagued  together  to  war  against  a  single  people,  and 
the  whole  world  ravaged  by  the  tempest.  She  saw 
the  reward  of  my  work  in  the  Revolution,  that  sweet 
reward  which  at  last  seemed  assured  to  us  by  the 
decree  of  divorce  for  a  long  time  withheld,  she  saw 
our  long  cherished  project  of  retirement  indefinitely 
postponed,  and  our  happy  love  itself  put  to  the 
hazard.  Yet  her  heart  did  not  shrink  from  the  glorious 
sacrifice.  She  wept  over  my  plans,  but  urged  me  on 
with  them.  I  recall  only  too  well  her  sad  presenti- 
ments, her  generous  tears,  and  the  prophetic  words 
which  accompanied  them  : 

"  '  Go,'  she  said,  '  work  for  them  ;  I  consent ;  let 
us  sacrifice  ourselves  for  their  welfare,  but  Heaven 
grant  that  at  least  we  may  not  meet  with  their 
ingratitude.' ' 

64 


LOUVET 

Men  and  women  really  did  talk  so,  during  the  French 
Revolution  ;  the  memoirs  of  the  period  are  full  of 
it.  Lou  vet  himself  has  pages  of  this  sort  of  thing. 
It  is  only  when  he  gets  off  his  stilts  that  he  is  really 
interesting. 

Lou  vet's  enthusiastic  labours  soon  drew  upon 
him  the  attention  of  the  chiefs  of  the  Jacobin  Club, 
and  he  was  elected  a  member  of  their  great  Committee 
of  Correspondence.  He  had  among  his  colleagues 
Bosc  and  Lanthenas,  the  friends  of  the  Rolands ; 
Condorcet,  who  was  too  busy,  and  Vergniaud,  who 
was  too  lazy,  to  give  much  help ;  Camille  Desmoulins, 
whom  he  always  regarded  as  an  arrant  knave,  and 
Robespierre,  at  that  time  Desmoulins'  master. 


CHAPTER  VI 

Threats  and  intrigues  of  the  Emigres — Coercive  measures  proposed 
against  them — Vergniaud's  first  great  speech — King  vetoes  the 
decree  against  the  timigrte — Louvet's  great  oratorical  success — 
Curiosity  of  the  ladies — Louvet's  interview  with  Camille  Des- 
moulins  and  Robespierre  on  the  proposed  war  with  Austria — 
Letter  from  Mme.  Roland — Robespierre  declaims  against  the 
war — His  trap  for  Louvet — Louvet  creates  a  diversion — He 
overwhelms  Robespierre  with  ridicule — He  makes  an  implacable 
enemy  and  a  life-long  friend — Triumph  of  the  Girondists — 
Louvet  proposed  as  Minister  of  Justice — Robespierre  intrigues 
against  him— His  life  threatened — Robespierre's  accusation — 
Jacobins  attempt  to  howl  Louvet  down — A  clever  ruse — Louvet 
clears  himself  of  Robespierre's  calumnies — His  placard- journal 
La  Sentinelle — His  witty  parable  on  Marat — Breach  between 
the  Mountain  and  the  Gironde — War  declared  against  Austria — 
Disaster — Fury  of  Dumouriez. 

FROM  the  date  of  the  fall  of  the  Bastille  onwards 
there  had  been  a  steady  emigration  of  the  princes 
of  the  Royal  house,  the  nobility,  and  officers  of  the 
army,  the  majority  of  whom  established  themselves 
at  Coblenz,  whence  they  breathed  threats  of  ven- 
geance against  all  who  had  taken  part  in  the 
Revolution. 

Nor  did  their  enmity  end  here ;  for  they  de- 
liberately attempted  to  induce  Austria  and  Prussia 
to  declare  war  and  to  invade  France.  In  the  nervous 
state  in  which  the  people  then  were,  the  threats 
of  the  emigrants,  combined  with  the  fear  of  an 
invasion,  succeeded  in  arousing  a  fear  among  all 
classes  of  the  community  altogether  out  of  propor- 
tion to  the  danger ;  so  that  when  the  Legislative 

66 


LOUVET 

Assembly  met  on  the  ist  October  it  turned  its 
immediate  attention  to  the  question  of  what  coercive 
measures,  if  any,  should  be  taken  against  the 
emigrants.  The  debate  was  opened  on  the  2oth, 
and  lasted  nearly  a  fortnight.  On  this  occasion  the 
golden-mouthed  Vergniaud  won  his  first  great  success, 
and  his  speech  delivered  on  the  25th  secured  his 
election  to  the  Presidency  of  the  Assembly  five  days 
later.  It  was  eventually  decreed  that  unless  the 
emigrants  returned  to  France  by  the  ist  January, 
1792,  their  property  should  be  confiscated,  and 
they  should  be  condemned  to  death.  However 
little  consideration  they  had  shown  for  him,  the  King 
not  unnaturally  declined  to  sanction  a  decree  which 
was  equivalent  to  a  death  sentence  on  his  brothers, 
and  on  the  I2th  November  he  vetoed  the  bill.  His 
enemies  were  not  slow  to  turn  this  against  him,  and 
by  his  action  he  forfeited  what  little  kindness  his  people 
had  left  for  him. 

It  was  on  this  question  that  Louvet  achieved  his 
first  great  triumph  as  an  orator.  On  Christmas  Day, 
1791,  he  was  deputed  by  the  Section  des  Lombards 
to  present  at  the  bar  of  the  Assembly  a  petition 
demanding  a  decree  of  accusation  against  the  fugitive 
princes. 

At  the  mention  of  his  name,  all  eyes  were  turned 
on  him  with  curiosity,  and  the  ladies  in  the  gallery, 
nudged  each  other,  smiled,  and  exchanged  signifi- 
cant glances  as  they  craned  forward  to  see  the 
creator  of  that  dear  Faublas,  whose  enterprising 
ardour  had  won  all  their  hearts  a  few  years  before. 
Nor  was  their  eagerness  abated  by  the  recollection  of 

67  5* 


LOUVET 

the  persistent  rumour  that  Louvet  himself  was  the 
hero  of  his  romance  ;  for  it  had  been  whispered  that 
at  seventeen,  in  the  habit  of  her  sex,  it  was  he  who 
had  surprised  the  affection  of  the  beautiful  lady 
whom  he  has  painted  in  the  character  of  the  Marquise 

But  there  was  little  of  the  hero  of  romance  about 
Louvet  that  day  as  he  strode  to  the  bar  of  the 
Assembly.  His  face  was  stern,  his  manner  of 
delivery  had  all  the  pomp  and  circumstance  of 
eighteenth  century  tragedy,  and  his  oratory,  in- 
spired by  a  sincere  revolutionary  enthusiasm,  was 
fanned  to  white  heat  by  an  undercurrent  of  genuine 
indignation  at  the  baseness  of  those  whom  he  came 
forward  to  accuse.  Such  enthusiasm  was  contagious  ; 
the  discourse  was  received  with  prolonged  applause  ; 
and  Louvet  took  his  place  among  the  great  orators 
of  the  Revolution. 

He  regularly  attended  the  meetings  of  the  Jacobins. 
As  a  member  of  the  Correspondence  Committee  of  the 
Club,  he  worked  assiduously  at  the  onerous  but 
obscure  task  for  which  he  had  offered  himself.  He 
was  not  one  of  those  who  do  good  by  stealth,  and 
tremble  lest  it  should  not  be  found  out.  At  one 
of  these  meetings,  Camille  Desmoulins,  who  was 
speaking  to  Robespierre,  turned  towards  him  and, 
with  the  villainous  stammer  which  ruined  him  as 
an  orator,  said  that  Mirabeau  was  very  pleased  with 
his  Paris  justifie,  and  wished  to  make  its  author's 
acquaintance,  for  he  was  sure  the  man  capable  of 
writing  such  a  pamphlet  would  make  his  mark  in  the 
Revolution. 

68 


From  an  engraving  by  Levachcz. 


Designed  and  engraved  by  Dup!essis  Berteaux. 


CAMILLE    DESMOULINS. 


[To  face  page  68. 


LOUVET 

"  On  hearing  words  of  praise,  which  were  not  ad- 
dressed to  him,"  says  Louvet,  "  Robespierre  stared 
at  Desmoulins  as  if  in  astonishment,  and  then  threw 
a  disdainful  look  on  me.  Desmoulins,  however,  con- 
tinued to  speak ;  he  asked  my  opinion  on  the  war 
which  some  thought  ought  to  be  declared  against 
Austria. 

"  '  Do  you  not  think  it  is  necessary  ?  '  said  I. 

"  He  advanced  a  number  of  obscure  and  diffuse 
arguments. 

"  '  And  you  ?  '  asked  I  of  Robespierre. 

"  '  No/  he  answered  drily. 

"  '  Why  ?  ' 

"  '  For  a  great  many  reasons.' 

"  '  Would  you  be  good  enough  to  name  them  ?  ' 

"  '  There  are  a  hundred  reasons.' 

"  '  Do  you  not  agree  that  it  is  inevitable  ?  ' 

"  '  Perhaps.' 

"  '  Would  you  have  us  wait  until  the  Emperor  has 
finished  his  preparations  ?  ' 

"  '  We  must  see.' 

"  '  He  will  not  be  ready  in  the  spring  ;  we  might 
take  him  at  a  disadvantage.' 

"  '  It  is  not  time.' 

"  I  made  all  sorts  of  objections,  to  which  he 
answered  in  monosyllables,  mostly  devoid  of  sense. 

"Those  who  know  this  man  only  by  the  public 
newspapers,  in  which  the  journalists  owe  it  to  their 
own  interest  to  abridge  his  eternal  declamations,  to 
prune  his  innumerable  repetitions,  and  to  suppress 
his  absurd  contradictions,  might  suppose  him  to  have 
some  common  sense.  But  I,  who  had  heard  him  a 

69 


LOUVET 

hundred  times,  knew  already  that  he  was  an  empty 
braggart,  without  understanding,  without  feeling, 
and  without  instruction.  This  conversation  taught 
me  that  he  was  the  vainest  and  the  most  presumptuous 
of  men.  I  had  yet  to  learn  that,  after  Marat,  he  was 
also  the  most  cowardly,  the  most  spiteful,  the  most 
slanderous,  and  the  most  bloodthirsty." 

It  was  at  this  time  that  the  line  of  cleavage  between 
the  Girondists  and  the  followers  of  Robespierre, 
Danton,  and  Marat  became  noticeable.  The  latter 
bitterly  opposed  the  declaration  of  war  against 
Austria.  Like  the  Socialists  of  to-day  (and,  indeed, 
the  democratic  extremists  in  every  age),  they  were 
uniformly  hostile  to  an  imperialistic  policy,  as  such  a 
policy  involves  grave  diplomatic  questions,  which  the 
deficiencies  of  their  education  taught  them  were 
quite  beyond  their  capacity.  Some,  in  fact,  openly  ad- 
vocated the  abandonment  of  all  the  French  colonies. 

Now,  too,  arose  those  mutual  suspicions,  which 
began  to  make  life  in  French  political  circles  intoler- 
able. We  find  Robespierre  complaining  to  Madame 
Roland  of  her  friendship  with  his  bitterest  enemies,  to 
which  she  replies : 

"  I  do  not  know  whom  you  look  upon  as  your  mortal 
enemies ;  I  am  not  acquainted  with  them,  and,  certainly, 
I  do  not  receive  them  upon  friendly  terms,  for  I  regard 
as  such  only  those  citizens  of  approved  integrity  who  have 
no  enemies  but  those  of  France. 

"  Time  will  reveal  all ;  its  justice  is  slow,  but  sure ; 
it  is  the  hope  and  the  consolation  of  the  good.  I  will 
wait  for  it  to  confirm  or  to  justify  my  esteem  for  those 
on  whom  it  is  bestowed. 

70 


LOUVET 

"  It  is  for  you,  Sir,  to  consider  that  time's  justice  will 
surely  immortalize  your  glory  or  destroy  it  for  ever." 

"  J 'ignore  qui  vous  regardes  (sic)  comme  vos  ennemis 
mortels  ;  je  ne  les  connois  pas  et,  certainement,  je  ne  les 
re9ois  point  chez  moi  en  con  fiance,  car,  je  ne  vois  a  ce 
titre,  que  des  citoyens  dont  1'integrite  m'est  demontr6e 
et  qui  n'ont  d' ennemis  que  ceux  du  salut  de  la 
France 

"  Le  temps  fera  tout  connoitre ;  sa  justice  est  lente, 
mais  sure ;  elle  fait  1'espoir  et  la  consolation  des  gens  de 
bien.  J'attendrai  d'elle  la  confirmation  ou  la  justification 
de  mon  estime  pour  ceux  qui  en  sont  1'ob jet. 

"  C'est  a  vous,  Monsieur,  de  considerer  que  cette  justice 
du  temps  doit  a  jamais  e"terniser  votre  gloire,  ou  1'aneantir 
pour  toujours. 

"  ROLAND,  NEE  PHLIPON." 

At  the  Jacobin  Club,  Robespierre  declaimed  against 
the  war  with  an  obstinacy  which  was  only  equalled 
by  the  long-suffering  patience  of  his  hearers.  When 
he  rose  to  pronounce  his  fourteenth  discourse  on  the 
subject,  however,  the  benches  showed  unmistakable 
signs  of  boredom.  He  had  with  engaging  modesty, 
just  clinched  his  argument  with  the  remark  that 
"  those  who  had  combated  his  opinion  by  fine 
phrases  would  be  hard  put  to  it  to  find  a  reply  to  his 
last  contention,"  when  Louvet  rose  to  create  a 
diversion  at  any  price.  Robespierre's  satellites 
attempted  to  howl  him  down.  But  one  of  Lou  vet's 
strong  points  was  that  when  he  had  something  to  say, 
no  power  on  earth  could  prevent  him  from  saying  it. 
And  say  it  he  did. 

In  one  of  his  wittiest  tales,  Voltaire  tells  how 
Zadig,  the  wise  young  minister  of  the  King  of  Babylon, 

73 


LOUVET 

cured  the  excessive  egotism  of  the  satrap  Irax.  The 
great  man  was  scarcely  awake  in  the  morning  when, 
acting  on  Zadig's  advice,  the  King  sent  the  royal 
choir  with  a  full  orchestra  to  his  chamber  to  perform 
a  cantata  in  his  honour,  which  lasted  two  hours,  with 
the  following  refrain  repeated  every  third  minute  : 

"  Que  son  merite  est  extr&ne  ! 

Que  de  grices  !  que  de  grandeur  ! 
Ah  !  combien  monseigneur 

Doit  etre  content  de  lui-meme  !  " 

When  the  cantata  was  finished,  a  chamberlain 
came  forward  and  pronounced  an  eloquent  discourse, 
lasting  three-quarters  of  an  hour,  in  which  he 
assiduously  praised  him  for  all  those  good  qualities 
that  he  lacked.  During  the  three  hours  occupied  in 
dining,  whenever  he  opened  his  mouth  to  speak,  the 
first  chamberlain  said,  "  He  will  be  right  !  "  and  Irax 
had  scarcely  said  four  words  when  the  second  chamber- 
lain exclaimed,  "He  is  right !  "  Meanwhile,  the  two 
other  chamberlains  burst  into  fits  of  uncontrollable 
laughter  at  the  good  things  which  Irax  ought  to  have 
said,  but  did  not.  When  dinner  was  over,  the  cantata 
was  repeated.  The  first  day  seemed  to  Irax  delight- 
ful ;  the  second  day  he  found  less  agreeable ;  the 
third  day  was  tiresome  ;  the  fourth  was  intolerable  ; 
and  on  the  fifth  day,  which  was  simply  torture  to  him, 
he  was  cured. 

Louvet,  in  his  attack  on  Robespierre,  adopted  the 
tactics  of  Zadig ;  and,  although  Robespierre  had  an 
uncommonly  good  digestion  for  flattery,  even  his 
appetite  was  cloyed  by  the  good  things  which  Louvet 
showered  upon  him.  That  day  he  had  no  words  to 

74 


LOUVET 

reply.  The  speech  was  received  with  ironical  cheers 
at  his  expense,  and  was  ordered  to  be  printed  and 
distributed  in  the  Departments.  As  Lou  vet  descended 
from  the  tribune,  Guadet,  who  had  presided  at  the 
meeting,  rushed  forward  and  impetuously  embraced 
him  ;  and  this  was  the  beginning  of  a  friendship  cut 
short  only  by  death.  As  for  Robespierre,  he  recog- 
nized in  Louvet  a  redoubtable  enemy,  clever,  im- 
petuous, and  fearless ;  and,  however  short  a  memory 
he  had  for  a  kindness,  he  never  forgot  an  injury. 

After  a  hard  fight  the  Girondists  triumphed,  Louis 
gave  way  by  appointing  a  Ministry  from  their  ranks, 
and  within  a  month  of  their  appointment  war  was 
formally  declared  against  Austria.  Dumouriez,  who 
at  this  time  worked  with  the  Girondists,  became 
Minister  for  Foreign  Affairs ;  Roland  was  offered, 
and  accepted,  the  portfolio  of  the  Interior ;  and 
Louvet  was  at  first  proposed  as  Minister  of  Justice. 
This  was  too  much  for  Robespierre,  and  he 
brought  all  his  sinister  influence  to  bear  against  his 
nomination. 

At  the  Jacobin  Club  he  caused  it  to  be  announced 
that  Louvet  had  but  three  months  previously 
returned  to  Paris  from  Coblenz,  and  had  in- 
sinuated himself  among  the  Jacobins  only  to  spread 
discord.  Louvet  was  out  walking  when  he  was 
charitably  informed  of  the  movement  against  him  by 
one  of  his  political  opponents,  who  warned  him  that 
he  would  run  great  danger  if  he  attended  that  night's 
meeting  of  the  Club.  But  he  was  not  the  man  to 
allow  his  enemies  to  calumniate  him  behind  his  back, 

75 


LOUVET 

so  with  his  usual  intrepidity  he  made  his  way  un- 
perceived  through  the  armed  mob  which  awaited  him 
outside  the  building.  At  the  moment  he  entered 
the  hall,  Robespierre  was  denouncing  the  emigrants 
who,  he  asserted,  had  introduced  themselves  into  the 
Society,  and  he  ended  his  harangue  by  demanding 
that  these  members  should  be  expelled  forthwith. 
Taking  in  the  situation  at  a  glance,  Louvet  promptly 
rose  to  second  the  motion.  For  a  moment  Robes- 
pierre was  taken  by  surprise  ;  he  had  promised  him- 
self that  the  arguments  of  the  cut-throats  he  had 
placed  outside  would  have  proved  incontrovertible. 

But  quickly  recovering  himself,  he  said  that  since 
Louvet  had  not  been  named  it  was  against  the  order 
of  the  day  to  allow  him  to  speak ;  and,  at  a  given 
signal,  the  rabble  in  the  galleries  rushed  madly  upon 
the  new-comer,  shaking  their  fists  in  his  face  and 
threatening  him  with  cudgels.  He  stood  up  to  his 
enemies  without  flinching  :  it  was  not  the  first  occa- 
sion, nor  was  it  to  be  the  last,  on  which  his  iron  nerve 
and  ever-ready  wit  saved  him  from  the  fury  of  the 
mob.  Indignant  at  this  violence,  a  party  of  the  more 
moderate  Jacobins  surrounded  Louvet  and  offered  to 
escort  him  home  ;  but  he  refused  to  leave  until  he 
had  been  heard  in  his  defence.  But  the  rules  of  the 
Club  were  not  to  be  ignored,  and  Louvet,  as  Robes- 
pierre had  said,  was  clearly  out  of  order.  At  this 
juncture,  one  of  his  friends  named  Bois  said  to 
him  : 

"  They  refuse  to  hear  you,  do  they  ?  Well,  I'll 
make  them  hear  you  !  "  With  that  he  ran  to  the 
middle  of  the  hall  and  shouted  at  the  top  of  his  voice  : 

76 


LOUVET 

"  Robespierre  is  right,  it  is  certain  we  have  a  traitor 
in  our  midst ;  but  I,  at  least,  will  not  accuse  him  in- 
directly :  it  is  Louvet  !  " 

By  this  bold  step  Louvet  acquired  the  right  of 
clearing  himself  from  the  cunningly  veiled  accusations 
of  Robespierre.  He  rushed  to  the  tribune,  and  gave 
an  account  of  his  life  and  actions  since  the  beginning 
of  the  Revolution.  The  crowd  in  the  galleries  who 
scarcely  an  hour  before  had  clamoured  for  his  life, 
loudly  applauded  his  speech.  On  the  morrow, 
Robespierre  spread  the  report  that  Louvet  had  caused 
himself  to  be  accused  in  order  that  he  might  pro- 
nounce his  own  panegyric,  with  a  view  to  being 
appointed  Minister  of  Justice. 

At  the  last  moment  the  vacant  ministry  was  be- 
stowed upon  Duranthon,  a  timid  person  cursed  with 
ambition,  who,  like  La  Bruyere's  Celse,  "  had  little 
merit  himself,  but  knew  some  people  who  had 
a  great  deal,"  and  these  had  pushed  him  forward. 
When  the  hour  of  trial  came  he  abandoned  his  col- 
leagues in  the  vain  hope  of  remaining  in  office. 

There  is  no  reason  to  believe  that  Louvet  would 
not  have  made  an  excellent  Minister  of  Justice  ;  but  it 
is  not  in  our  hearts  to  regret  the  circumstance  which 
drove  him  back  to  his  pen.  The  Ministry  was  scarcely 
formed  when  Lanthenas  introduced  him  to  Roland 
and  his  wife.  Lodoiska  and  he  were  soon  numbered 
among  their  most  intimate  friends.  On  their  sug- 
gestion Louvet  undertook  the  publication  of  a  placard- 
journal,  called  La  Sentinelle,  which  was  printed 
twice  a  week  at  Roland's  expense,  and  posted  on  the 

77 


LOUVET 

walls  of  Paris.  In  this  journal,  some  numbers  of 
which  reached  a  circulation  of  twenty  thousand,  he 
taught  the  most  ardent  Republicanism,  tempered  by  a 
sincere  love  of  order  and  a  wide  and  tolerant 
humanity.  His  pages  are  full  of  wit,  humour,  and 
pathos.  He  was  a  master  of  ridicule,  the  weapon 
of  all  others  most  dreaded  by  Frenchmen  ;  and  he 
wielded  it  mercilessly  against  the  bloody-minded 
scoundrels  who  daily  incited  the  people  to  murder. 

"  People,"  said  he,  in  a  number  of  his  journal, 
"  I  am  going  to  tell  you  a  humorous  fable,  but  one 
which  will  touch  your  friend  Marat  to  the  quick. 
Imagine  that  a  hair  of  my  beard  possessed  the  faculty 
of  speech,  and  said  to  me  : 

"  '  Cut  off  thy  right  arm,  because  it  has  defended 
thy  life  ;  cut  off  thy  left  arm,  because  it  has  conveyed 
food  to  thy  mouth ;  cut  off  thy  legs,  because  they 
have  borne  thy  body ;  cut  off  thy  head,  because  it 
has  directed  thy  members  !  ' 

"  Tell  me  now,  O  Sovereign  People,  whether  I  should 
not  do  better  to  preserve  my  arms,  my  legs,  and  my 
head,  and  cut  off  only  this  scrap  of  beard,  which  gave 
me  such  absurd  advice  ? 

"  Marat  is  this  morsel  of  the  Republic's  beard  !  He 
says: 

"  '  Kill  the  generals  who  defeated  your  enemies  ! 
Kill  the  Convention  which  directs  the  Empire  !  Kill 
the  Ministers  who  cause  the  Government  to  move 
ahead  !  Kill  all — except  myself  ! ' 

The  war  had  opened  towards  the  end  of  April,  with 
an  abortive  attempt  to  invade  Belgium.  But  in 

78 


LOUVET 

spite  of  the  optimistic  report  of  Narbonne,*  the  late 
Minister  of  War,  as  to  the  efficiency  of  the  army, 
the  first  brush  with  the  enemy  proved  that  the  French 
military  forces  from  top  to  bottom  were  in  a  hope- 
less state  of  disorganization.  Two  divisions  of  French 
troops  ignominiously  turned  tail  and  fled  on  the 
approach  of  the  enemy,  and  one  of  them,  suspecting 
Dillon,  their  general,  of  treachery,  murdered  him  in 
cold  blood.  Dumouriez  was  furious.  "  You  marched 
out  like  madmen,"  he  wrote,  on  the  receipt  of  the 
news,  "  and  you  came  back  like  fools."  Paris  was  hi 
a  ferment.  The  Minister  for  War  was  dismissed,  and, 
after  an  interval  of  five  days,  during  which  Dumouriez 
acted  as  minister,  Servan,  a  fine  soldier  and  stern 
Republican,  was  appointed  in  his  stead. 

*  The  beloved  of  Madame  de  Stael. 


79 


CHAPTER  VII. 

The  Girondists  undermine  the  Throne — The  King  exercises  his  veto 
— Roland's  letter  of  remonstrance — The  King's  resentment — He 
dismisses  the  Girondist  Ministry — Insurrection  of  June  zoth — 
Lafayette  comes  to  Paris — Guadet's  sarcasm — Arrival  of  the 
Federal  troops — Brunswick's  manifesto — He  invades  France — 
Insurrection  of  August  loth — Capture  of  the  Tuileries — Napoleon 
watches  the  fight — Louvet  rescues  some  Swiss  Guards — Im- 
prisonment of  the  Royal  Family — Where  was  Robespierre  ? — 
Commune  becomes  all  powerful — Arrest  of  suspected  persons 
• — Executive  Committee  of  Twenty-One  elected — Louvet  becomes 
editor  of  the  Journal  des  D<?bats — Lodoiska  assists  him — September 
massacres — First  meeting  of  the  Convention — Amar  compli- 
ments Lodoiska — Her  retort. 

THE  Girondists  now  set  themselves  to  remove  the 
last  support  of  the  tottering  monarchy.  They 
disbanded  the  King's  body-guards,  voted  the  banish- 
ment of  all  priests  who  refused  to  take  the  constitu- 
tional oath ;  and  Servan  proposed  that  a  camp  of 
twenty  thousand  men  drawn  from  the  Departments 
(federes)  should  be  formed  in  the  neighbourhood  of 
Paris,  ostensibly  to  train  them  for  the  army,  but  in 
reality  to  guard  the  Assembly  against  possible  attacks 
either  on  the  part  of  the  Royalists,  or  of  the  Parisian 
mob,  which  had  been  armed  by  the  Jacobins. 

With  the  good-natured  stupidity  so  characteristic 
of  him,  Louis  sanctioned  the  decree  for  the  disbanding 
of  the  body-guards,  obviously  directed  against  him- 
self, but  vetoed  the  other  two.  Thereupon  Madame 
Roland,  in  her  husband's  name,  addressed  the  famous 
letter  of  remonstrance  to  the  King,  in  which  she  took 

80 


From  an  engraving  by  Baudran,  after  the  portrait  carried  by  Buzot. 


MADAME  ROLAND. 


[To  face  page  80. 


LOUVET 

upon  herself  to  rate  him  like  a  truant  schoolboy. 
Louis  showed  his  resentment  at  this  impertinence  by 
dismissing  the  whole  Ministry,  except  Dumouriez, 
whose  policy  it  was  to  humour  the  King  that  he 
might  rule  him.  But  the  ambitious  General  was  as 
little  to  the  King's  mind  as  the  disgraced  Girondists, 
and  finding  that  Louis  distrusted  him  personally  and 
had  no  faith  in  his  plans,  Dumouriez  resigned  and 
accepted  a  command  in  the  army.  Power  then  fell 
into  the  hands  of  Lafayette  and  his  friends. 

Alarmed  by  the  dismissal  of  the  popular  Girondist 
Ministry,  and  by  the  truculent  attitude  of  Lafayette, 
the  armed  mob  of  Paris  revolted  on  June  2oth,  and 
invaded  the  Tuileries.  On  this  occasion  the  King 
firmly  maintained  his  veto  on  the  decrees,  and 
throughout  the  trying  ordeal,  acted  with  dignity  and 
forbearance,  with  the  result  that  the  rebels  withdrew 
from  the  palace.  There  were  signs  of  a  reaction  in 
his  favour. 

Lafayette  took  the  opportunity  of  coming  to  Paris 
and  appearing  before  the  Assembly  to  express 
his  indignation  at  the  riot,  and  to  denounce  the 
Jacobin  Club,  which  he  held  responsible  for  the  dis- 
turbance. He  also  proposed  to  take  the  King  out  of 
Paris.  The  significance  of  Lafayette's  action  was  not 
lost  on  the  Girondists  ;  and  when  he  made  his  appear- 
ance in  the  Assembly,  he  was  immediately  assailed 
by  Guadet  in  one  of  the  most  rancorous  of  those 
eloquent  and  uncomfortable  speeches  for  which  he 
was  famous.  Aiming  his  shafts  at  the  unguarded  heel 
of  his  Achilles,  he  accused  him  of  deserting  his  army 
in  the  face  of  the  enemy.  With  "  sub-acid  humour  " 

81  6 


LOUVET 

he  asked  whether  the  Minister  for  War  had  given  him 
leave  of  absence  ;  and  ended  by  raising  the  whole 
question  as  to  the  expediency  of  allowing  generals  on 
active  service  to  petition  the  Legislature.  Although 
Guadet's  vote  of  censure  was  not  carried,  his  speech 
completely  spoiled  the  effect  of  Lafayette's  interven- 
tion. Nor  could  the  King  and  Queen  be  induced  to 
swallow  their  resentment  and  to  trust  themselves  to 
the  one  man  who  could  have  saved  them.  They 
coldly  rejected  Lafayette's  offers  of  service,  and  the 
General  returned,  deeply  mortified,  to  his  army. 

Early  in  July  the  Federal  troops  from  the  Depart- 
ments began  to  pour  into  Paris  to  celebrate  the  fes- 
tival of  the  fall  of  the  Bastille.  On  the  nth  the 
Assembly  declared  that  the  country  was  in  danger, 
and  issued  a  rousing  appeal  for  volunteers.  Paris 
was  seething  with  insurrection.  Both  parties  pre- 
pared for  the  final  struggle.  The  moment  was  chosen 
by  the  Duke  of  Brunswick,  at  the  head  of  the  allied 
armies,  to  begin  his  march  on  Paris.  At  the  same 
time  he  issued  his  infamous  proclamation,  inspired 
by  the  hatred  of  the  aristocratic  refugees  at  Coblenz. 
He  demanded  immediate  and  unconditional  sub- 
mission ;  he  declared  that  every  town,  village,  or 
hamlet  that  opposed  him,  would  be  delivered  over 
to  the  soldiery,  and  swore  that  if  the  slightest  insult 
were  offered  to  the  Royal  Family,  Paris  would  be 
utterly  destroyed. 

The  answer  to  these  threats  was  the  insurrection 
of  the  loth  of  August,  which  ended  in  the  capture 
of  the  Tuileries,  the  downfall  of  the  throne,  and 
the  imprisonment  of  the  Royal  Family.  The  King 

82  ' 


LOUVET 

and  Queen,  with  their  children  and  immediate 
attendants,  left  the  palace  early  in  the  day,  but  those 
left  behind  made  a  gallant  fight,  and  every  step 
the  rebels  advanced  was  purchased  with  a  life. 
Napoleon,  then  a  young  artillery  officer  and  an 
ardent  Jacobin,  watched  the  attack  from  a  window 
overlooking  the  Tuileries  Gardens.  The  sight  of 
the  infuriated  mob  before  the  palace  filled  him  with 
anger  and  contempt,  and,  as  he  long  afterwards  told 
Bourrienne,  he  would  gladly  have  seen  it  swept 
from  the  streets  with  grapeshot.  He  declared  that 
the  scene  in  the  Tuileries  Gardens,  after  the  capture, 
was  more  terrible  than  any  of  his  battlefields.  It 
was  his  opinion  that  the  palace  might  easily  have 
been  held,  had  it  not  been  for  the  hopeless  incom- 
petence of  the  leaders  and  the  unstable  character  of 
the  King.  The  defenders  made  a  mistake,  common 
to  brave  men,  of  recklessly  throwing  away  their 
lives  when  the  critical  state  of  the  King's  affairs 
demanded  that  they  should  preserve  them. 

When  the  fight  was  over,  and  the  ghastly  massacre 
of  the  helpless  Swiss  Guards,  which  marred  the 
glory  of  the  victory,  had  begun,  Louvet  made  his 
way  into  the  palace  gardens  and  rescued  a  party  of 
the  soldiers  by  throwing  open  to  them  the  corridors 
of  the  Assembly,  and  leading  them  into  the  chamber 
of  the  Diplomatic  Committee,  where  they  were 
concealed  by  Brissot  and  Gensonne. 

During  the  whole  of  this  critical  day  Robespierre 
lay  concealed.  It  was  not  that  he  was  a  coward, 
but,  wrapped  close  in  his  theories,  the  very  idea  of 
action  confused  him ;  and  although  his  courage 

83  6* 


LOUVET 

never  failed  him,  his  nerves  often  did.  If  there 
was  one  thing  he  feared  more  than  going  too  fast, 
it  was  lest  the  Revolution  should  leave  him  behind ; 
and  he  owed  his  success  very  largely  to  his  extra- 
ordinary faculty  for  keeping  in  tune,  and  to  his 
dexterity  in  reaping  where  bolder  and  more  energetic 
men  had  sown.  After  August  loth  there  is  a  notice- 
able change  in  Robespierre's  outlook.  Till  then,  he 
was  at  heart  in  favour  of  a  monarchical  form  of 
government ;  but  the  insurrection  made  it  clear  to 
him  that  the  future  was  with  the  people.  From  that 
day  his  intelligence,  as  Lord  Morley  says,  "  seemed 
to  move  in  subterranean  tunnels,  with  the  gleam  of 
an  equivocal  premiss  at  one  end,  and  the  mist  of  a 
vague  conclusion  at  the  other." 

On  the  morrow  the  Commune  of  Paris,  which  now 
became  all  powerful,  ordered  domiciliary  visits  to  be 
made,  and  all  suspected  persons  were  arrested.  The 
prisons  were  immediately  filled  to  overflowing  with 
terrified  men  and  women,  of  all  classes  and  all  con- 
ditions, most  of  them  confined  without  law  or  reason. 

The  immediate  result  of  the  revolt  was  that  the 
government  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  Legislative  As- 
sembly, which  entrusted  the  work  of  administration 
to  an  extraordinary  committee  of  twenty-one 
members.  Roland  and  his  friends  returned  to  office, 
with  Danton  as  Minister  of  Justice. 

At  this  time  Baudoin,  the  proprietor  of  the  Journal 
des  Debats  et  des  Decrets,  approached  Louvet  with  a  view 
to  his  undertaking  the  editorship,  but  he  declined ; 
and  it  was  only  after  receiving  earnest  solicitations 
from  Brissot,  Guadet  and  Condorcet  that  he  could  be 

84 


LOUVET 

induced  to  accept  the  proposal.  Lodoi'ska,  who  had 
considerable  literary  ability,  greatly  assisted  him  in 
his  work  ;  and  during  his  proscription  it  often  wrung 
his  soul  to  think  that  she  was  perhaps  suffering  for 
her  share  in  the  enterprise.  Soon  after  his  taking 
up  the  editorship,  Amar,  the  man  who  afterwards 
drew  up  the  infamous  Act  of  Accusation  against  the 
Girondists,  called  several  times  upon  Louvet,  under 
pretext  of  conducting  Lodoi'ska  home.  He  said  he 
wished  to  pay  his  respects  and  to  put  him  on  his 
guard  against  the  wiles  of  Brissot  and  Roland.  One 
day,  on  leaving  the  Assembly,  where  he  had  distin- 
guished himself  by  proposing  a  particularly  cold- 
blooded motion,  Amar  overtook  Lodoiska,  and  began 
whispering  tender  compliments  into  her  ear.  "  Mon- 
sieur," answered  Lodoi'ska,  interrupting  him  coldly, 
"  I  have  just  heard  what  you  said  in  the  Tribune, 
and  I  despise  you  !  " 

Amar  never  again  troubled  them  with  his  visits, 
but  he  became  their  most  implacable  enemy ;  and 
the  thought  that  this  man  had  power  of  life  and 
death  in  Paris,  and  that  Lodoiska  was  perhaps  at 
his  mercy,  was  in  the  near  future  to  freeze  Louvet 's 
heart  within  him. 

In  the  last  days  of  August  came  tidings  of  the 
surrender  of  Longwy  to  the  Prussians.  Panic  seized 
on  all  classes  of  the  community,  and  in  their  terror 
the  people  stood  by,  on  September  2nd,  whilst  a 
handful  of  cut-throats  massacred  the  inmates  of  the 
prisons.  The  Girondists,  from  the  first,  protested 
against  the  murders,  and  endeavoured  to  bring  those 
responsible  for  them  to  trial ;  but  as  nobody  seriously 

85 


LOUVET 

interfered,  when  the  presence  of  a  company  of  soldiers 
could  easily  have  prevented  them,  the  citizens  of 
Paris  must  be  judged  morally  responsible  for  one  of 
the  most  terrible  massacres  recorded  in  history. 

On  September  2oth  the  Convention  met,  and 
on  the  following  day  the  Monarchy  was  formally 
abolished. 


86 


CHAPTER  VIII 

Social  life  in  Paris  during  the  Revolution — The  salons — The  Talmas 
— Their  fete  to  Dumouriez — Louvet  as  a  conversationalist — 
M.  J.  Chenier — Ducis — Dumouriez — Dramatic  appearance  of 
the  People's  Friend — Marat  denounces  the  guests. 

IT  would  be  erroneous  to  suppose  that  Lou  vet's 
political  labours  occupied  the  whole  of  his  time 
without  relaxation.  One  of  the  most  pleasing  traits 
of  the  French  is  an  extraordinary  capacity  for  the 
enjoyment  of  the  passing  hour.  They  have  a  genius 
for  social  intercourse.  Where  one  or  two  French  men 
and  women  are  gathered  together,  there  gaiety  will 
be  also.  In  whatever  situation  he  may  be,  a  French- 
man may  be  trusted  to  find  amusement ;  the  joys 
of  the  present  are  apt  to  blind  his  eyes  to  the  perils 
of  the  future.  Louvet 's  well-known  wit  and  vivacity 
made  him  a  welcome  guest  in  every  Revolutionary 
salon.  Even  Mme.  Roland  unbent  from  her 
stoical  gravity  in  his  company,  and  responded  to 
his  sprightly  sallies  with  a  warmth  which  surprised 
those  who  knew  only  one  side  of  her  versatile 
character. 

If  the  salons  of  Mme.  de  Condorcet  and  Mme. 
Roland  were  the  most  frequented  of  the  political 
salons,  that  of  Talma  the  actor,  presided  over  by  the 
charming  operatic  singer  Julie  Carreau,  whom  he 
had  married  in  1791,  was  the  most  attractive  of  the 
purely  social  reunions  under  the  Republic.  There, 

87 


LOUVET 

statesmen  and  comedians,  philosophers  and  actresses, 
poets  and  soldiers,  wits  and  orators  met  together 
with  the  avowed  object  of  forgetting  their  present 
discontents  by  throwing  themselves  with  zest  into 
the  enjoyment  of  those  superfluous  things  so  necessary 
to  the  happiness  of  cultured  men  and  women.  One 
of  these  entertainments  has  become  famous.  On 
the  nth  of  October,  General  Dumouriez  returned  in 
triumph  to  Paris  after  checking  the  advance  of  the 
Prussians  in  the  passes  of  the  Argonne  forests,  and 
on  the  i6th  a  fete  was  given  at  Mme.  Talma's  in  honour 
of  the  victorious  general. 

All  the  most  brilliant  artists,  men  of  letters,  and 
politicians  met  to  give  themselves  up  to  the  pleasures 
of  society  with  an  abandon  of  which  the  French  alone 
have  the  secret.  Mme.  Talma  did  the  honours  of 
the  house  with  a  grace  and  tact  which  won  all  hearts. 
Her  sweetness  of  disposition  had  already  attracted 
Mme.  Roland  and  Lodoiska  to  her,  and  the  three 
women  were  fast  friends.  Lou  vet  might  have  been 
seen  with  Vergniaud,  Brissot,  and  other  leading 
Girondists,  engaged  in  an  animated  discussion  with 
a  slightly  built  man,  with  a  sallow  complexion  and 
wily  black  eyes.  It  was  Dumouriez.  In  the  art  of 
conversation  he  had  few  equals :  Louvet  was  one, 
and  between  them  they  were  the  delight  of  every 
society  hi  which  they  found  themselves.*  When 
Dumouriez  spoke  he  had  a  way  of  driving  home 
what  he  said  by  a  sardonic  and  almost  impudent  smile 
in  the  eyes,  which  both  attracted  and  repelled.  He 
was  at  once  a  charlatan  and  a  genius,  and  inspired 

*  See  Dumont  (^tienne,)  Souvenirs  sur  Mirabeau. 

88 


LOUVET 

every  man  who  met  him  with  a  profound  admiration 
and  a  no  less  profound  mistrust.  With  women  he 
was  always  charming,  and  easily  found  favour  in 
their  eyes.  The  only  woman  who  ever  saw  through 
him  was  Mme.  Roland,  and  he  was  never  at  his  best 
in  her  company.  It  must  have  been  particularly 
galling  for  a  man  of  his  type  to  know  that  she  was 
reading  the  thoughts  which  his  witty  tongue  took 
such  pains  to  conceal.  Two  years  later,  he  betrayed 
his  country  to  save  his  head,  and  this  defection 
contributed  to  the  downfall  of  the  Girondist  party, 
with  whom  he  had  been  allied.  Under  the  Terror 
there  was  only  one  thing  more  dangerous  for  a  general 
than  defeat,  and  that  was  a  too  brilliant  success. 

In  another  part  of  the  salon  Chamfort  exchanged 
cynical  epigrams  with  the  veteran  La  Harpe,  whilst 
Ducis,  the  misguided  enthusiast  who  spent  his  life 
in  concocting  ponderous  misrepresentations  of  Shake- 
speare's tragedies  for  the  French  stage,  was  explain- 
ing to  a  group  of  admirers  the  plan  of  his  new  tragedy 
of  Othello,  the  principal  roles  in  which  were  to  be 
played  by  Talma  and  Mile.  Desgarcins.  Near  them 
stood  Marie  Joseph  Chenier,  well  known  to  his  con- 
temporaries as  a  playwright  and  politician,  but  chiefly 
remembered  as  the  brother  and  political  opponent  of 
the  more  famous  poet  of  La  Jeune  Captive. 

Ch6nier  was  a  specially  welcome  guest,  for  it  was  to 
him  that  the  great  actor  owed  the  two  parts  which 
made  his  reputation.  Talma  regularly  attended  the 
meetings  of  the  Convention,  for  he  held  that  the  great 
Revolutionary  orators  were  the  finest  masters  that  a 
young  classical  tragedian  could  possibly  have.  From 


LOUVET 

them  he  learned  the  great  lesson  of  simplicity  in  the 
drama  which  was  soon  to  win  him  a  place  in  the  front 
rank  of  great  actors. 

"  I  was  amazed,"  he  says,  "  to  see  these  orators, 
who,  in  speaking,  risked  their  heads,  agitating  the 
most  formidable  questions — questions  of  life  and 
death  :  the  arrest  of  a  colleague  or  the  judgment  of 
a  king — in  the  most  simple  fashion  in  the  world, 
accompanying  their  words  by  the  ordinary  gestures 
of  everyday  life." 

The  air  was  filled  with  the  perfume  of  choice  flowers, 
the  surging  of  costly  silks,  and  the  rich  laughter  of 
lovely  women.  Santerre,  and  a  detachment  of  his 
soldiers  in  resplendent  uniforms,  mounted  guard  at 
the  door.  A  hush  fell  on  the  assembly  as  Mme.  Julie 
Candeille  opened  the  piano  and  ran  her  white  fingers 
over  the  keys.  And,  as  her  glorious  voice  rang  out, 
all  present  forgot  the  horrors  of  the  last  months  to 
dream  those  generous,  impossible  dreams  for  which 
they  had  fought  and  for  which  so  many  of  them  were 
to  lay  down  their  lives. 

Suddenly  there  arose  a  sound  of  heavy  footsteps  in 
the  hall,  and  a  moment  later  a  squalid  figure,  in  a 
short  jacket,  showing  a  dirty  shirt  open  at  the  neck, 
strode  into  the  room.  A  red  cotton  handkerchief 
knotted  carelessly  about  his  head  allowed  a  few  wisps 
of  lank  hair  to  fall  in  greasy  disorder  on  his  shoulders. 
His  face  was  livid,  and  the  small  yellow  eyes  looked 
like  live  coals  which  had  burnt  for  themselves  two 
great  holes  in  the  discoloured  parchment  of  his  skin. 
Accompanied  by  two  men  almost  as  noisome  as  him- 
self, he  planted  himself  before  Dumouriez. 

90 


From  an  engraving  by  Henry  Meyer,  after  a  painting  by  J.  P.  Davis. 

TALMA. 

[To  face  page  90. 


LOUVET 

"  Are  you  the  man  called  Marat  ?  "  inquired  the 
General. 

Without  deigning  to  answer  the  question,  Marat 
said  : 

"  Citizen  General,  we,  the  Citizens  Bentabole, 
Montault,  and  Marat,  all  members  of  the  Conven- 
tion, have  come  in  the  name  of  the  Society  of  the 
Friends  of  Liberty  and  Equality  to  demand  of  you 
an  explanation  of  your  action  with  regard  to  the 
R6publique  and  Mauconseil  battalions." 

A  few  weeks  before  leaving  the  frontier,  Dumouriez 
had  degraded  the  battalions  in  question  for  having 
seized  and  murdered  four  deserters  from  the  emigres 
who  had  escaped  to  the  French  lines  and  asked  to  be 
received  into  the  army. 

On  being  assured  of  their  repentance  by  their 
delivering  up  the  ringleaders,  the  General  had  forgiven 
them,  and  the  battalions  had  already  wiped  out  then- 
disgrace  on  the  field  of  battle  and  regained  the  confi- 
dence of  Dumouriez. 

"  I  have  placed  all  the  documents  relating  to  the 
case  in  the  hands  of  the  Minister  of  War,"  he 
answered. 

"  I  have  been  unable  to  find  a  trace  of  them  at  the 
Ministry." 

"  I  can  only  repeat  that  my  report  was  duly  laid 
before  the  Convention,  and  I  must  refer  you  to  that." 

"  Oh,  do  not  think  to  put  me  off  in  this  way ;  the 
Vigilance  Committee  has  none  of  the  papers,  and 
demands  that  the  battalions  shall  be  protected." 

"  So  you  doubt  my  word,"  cried  Dumouriez. 

"  If  you  deserved  entire  confidence,"  answered  the 

91 


LOUVET 

imperturbable  Marat,  "  there  would  be  no  necessity 
for  us  to  act  as  we  are  now  doing.  Is  it  likely  that 
twelve  hundred  men  would  commit  such  excesses 
without  very  good  reasons  ?  Besides,  I  should  not 
wonder  if  the  four  men  were  emigrants." 

"  Well,  what  if  they  were  ?  " 

"  Emigrants,  Citizen  General,  are  enemies  to  their 
country ;  and,  in  any  case,  the  punishment  you  in- 
flicted on  the  battalions  was  outrageous." 

"  I  have  nothing  further  to  say  to  you,  Monsieur 
Marat,"  retorted  Dumouriez,  turning  on  his  heel. 

"  Ha  !  you  did  not  expect  me  here  in  this  assembly 
of  aristocrats,  concubines,  and  counter-revolution- 
aries, did  you  ?  "  croaked  Marat. 

Talma  here  stepped  forward,  and  protested  against 
these  indecent  and  calumnious  epithets  addressed  to 
his  friends,  and  their  wives  and  sisters  ;  and,  after 
uttering  more  imprecations  and  threats  against  all 
present,  Marat  and  his  acolytes  withdrew.* 

It  is  not  easy  to  raise  a  laugh  in  an  assembly  which 
has  just  been  scared  by  the  sudden  apparition  of 
the  apocalyptic  figure  of  a  Marat.  Lou  vet  and  his 
fellow-wits,  however,  set  themselves  heroically  to  the 
task.  There  was  a  brilliant  display  of  verbal  fire- 
works, whilst  the  happily-inspired  actor  Dugazon, 
carefully  fumigated  the  room  with  a  censer. 

Next  day  Marat  denounced  the  conspiracy,  as  he 
called  it,  both  at  the  Jacobins  and  in  the  Convention. 
Calling  at  the  General's  house,  he  and  his  com- 
panions had  been  directed  first  to  the  Theatre  de 

*  La   Vie  du  GiYitral  Dumouriee,  v.  iii.,  pp.   223  et  seq. ;     fusil 
(Louise,)  Souvenirs  d'une  actrice. 

92 


From  an  engraving  by  Levachez. 


Designed  and  engraved  by  Duplessis  Berteaux. 


JEAN    PAUL    MARAT. 


To  face  page  92. 


LOUVET 

i 

Varietes,  which  Dumouriez  had  just  left,  and  then  to 
Talma's. 

"  A  number  of  carriages  and  brilliant  illumina- 
tions," he  said,  "  indicated  to  us  where  this  son  of 
Mars  was  supping  with  the  sons  and  daughters  of 
Thalia ;  we  found  soldiers  within  and  without :  after 
traversing  some  chambers  filled  with  pikemen, 
musketeers,  dragoons,  hussars — the  warlike  suite 
of  the  General — we  came  to  a  spacious  room  full  of 
company,  at  the  door  of  which  was  Santerre,  com- 
mander of  the  Parisian  Guards,  performing  the 
functions  of  a  lackey  or  an  usher.  He  announced  me 
aloud,  which  I  was  sorry  for,  because  it  might  have 
made  those  persons  disappear  whom  I  should  have 
wished  to  have  seen  ;  but  I  did  see  some,  whom  it  is  of 
use  to  mention  for  the  better  comprehension  of  the 
operations  of  the  ruling  party  in  the  Convention, 
and  to  let  the  public  know  who  are  the  State  jugglers 
with  whom  the  commander  of  our  armies  is  most 
connected.  To  pass  over  the  officers  of  the  national 
guards,  the  aides-de-camp,  and  others,  who  paid  their 
court  to  the  great  Dumouriez,  I  saw  in  this  august 
company  the  ministers  Roland  and  Le  Brun,  attended 
by  Kersaint  and  Lasource.  As  my  name  had  thrown 
the  company  into  confusion,  I  probably  did  not  re- 
mark all  who  were  present,  It  only  remember  these 
conspirators  whom  I  have  named  ;  but  it  was  early, 
and  it  is  probable  that  Vergniaud,  Buzot,  Rabaut, 
Lacroix,  Guadet,  Gensonne,  Louvet  and  Barbaroux 
were  also  at  this  entertainment ;  for  they  all  belong 
to  the  same  gang.  At  the  sight  of  me  Dumouriez  was 
appalled." 

93 


LOUVET 

A  peal  of  ironical  laughter  greeted  the  last  state- 
ment, and  a  member  said  : 

"  That  is  more   than   he  was  at  the  sight  of  the 
Prussian  army." 

When  the  laughter  had  abated,  Marat  imperturb- 
ably  repeated  : 

"  At  the  sight  of  me  Dumouriez  was  appalled ; 
which  is  not  to  be  wondered  at,  since  I  am  known  to 
be  the  terror  of  all  the  enemies  of  my  country." 
%  Marat  then,  looking  very  fierce,  described  his 
interview  with  the  General,  and  concluded  by  saying 
that  the  questions  he  put  to  Dumouriez  "  disconcerted 
him  so  much  that,  instead  of  attempting  to  answer 
them,  he  was  forced  to  sneak  away  abruptly  with 
affected  disdain ;  and  so,  having  made  it  clear  that 
he  could  not  justify  his  conduct,  I  left  this  assemblage 
of  generals,  and  actors,  and  ministers  and  mounte- 
banks to  pass  the  night  together."* 

*  Marat's  speech,  as  reported  by  Dr.  J.  Moore  in  his  Journal  during 
a  residence  in  France,  v.  ii.,  pp.  165  et  seq* 


94 


CHAPTER  IX 

Louvet  elected  to  the  Convention — He  resumes  his  feud  with 
Robespierre — His  suspicions  of  Robespierre,  Danton,  and  Marat 
— Were  they  justified  ? — Character  of  Marat — His  sincerity  and 
disinterestedness — Usefulness  of  the  fanatic — Louvet's  sus- 
picions not  shared  by  his  colleagues — Their  apathy  and  gulli- 
bility— Louvet's  political  acumen — Moore's  opinion — Robes- 
pierre the  idol  of  the  mob — Louvet  prepares  his  Robespierride 

LOUVET,  who,  on  the  nomination  of  Brissot,  was 
elected  to  the  Convention  as  the  representative 
of  the  Department  of  the  Loiret,  was  not  long  in 
renewing  his  feud  with  Robespierre ;  and  by  so 
doing  he  strengthened  the  tie  which  already  bound 
him  to  the  Girondists.  He  saw  in  Robespierre  a 
tyrant  corrupted  by  pride  and  ambition,  secretly 
aspiring  to  the  supreme  power.  He  suspected  Dan- 
ton  of  accepting  bribes  from  all  parties,  and  using  each 
in  turn  for  the  advancement  of  his  own  projects. 

He  foresaw  the  struggle  between  the  two  am- 
bitious tribunes,  though  he  despised  Robespierre 
too  much  to  think  that  his  cunning  would  triumph 
over  his  infinitely  greater  rival.  Marat  was  the 
only  man  in  whom  he  seems  to  have  been  seriously 
mistaken.  He  believed  him  to  be  paid  by  England 
and  the  emigrants  to  urge  on  the  Revolution  to 
crime  and  bloodshed  in  order  to  provide  them  with 
a  pretext  for  armed  intervention.  This  was,  of 
course,  absurd.  The  most  striking  feature  in 
Marat's  character  was  his  absolute  sincerity.  His 

95 


LOUVET 

belief  in  the  people  was  as  genuine  as  his  hatred  of 
their  oppressors.  He  was  as  merciless  in  carrying 
out  what  he  believed  to  be  the  voice  of  the  Lord  as 
any  Biblical  hero.  His  mission  was  to  slay  the 
Amalekites,  and  he  slew  the  Amalekites,  man, 
woman,  and  child,  not  because  he  delighted  in 
bloodshed,  but  because  he  felt  it  to  be  a  painful 
duty  which  had  been  thrust  upon  him.  When  Agag 
fell  into  his  hands,  he  might  be  trusted  to  hew  him 
in  pieces  as  conscientiously  as  did  Samuel  of  old. 
His  was  the  fury  born  of  an  acute  sensibility,  and 
he  fell  an  easy  prey  to  the  morbid  suggestions  of  a 
perverted  conscience.  Louvet  and  others  of  his 
contemporaries  are  scarcely  to  blame  if  they  failed 
to  see  this. 

It  is  not  easy  to  form  an  impartial  judgment 
of  your  enemy  when  he  is  mounted  on  your  chest 
with  a  knife  at  your  throat.  Such  a  position  is 
not  conducive  to  the  drawing  of  subtle  distinctions 
in  extenuation  of  his  conduct.  But  it  is  the  his- 
torian's duty  to  make  these  allowances,  and  to 
beware  of  accepting  too  readily  the  evidence  of  the 
man  underneath. 

Marat  had  been  trained  in  a  hard  school.  His 
life  had  been  embittered  by  the  hatred  and  injustice 
of  men,  and  his  body  was  tortured  by  a  loathsome 
and  painful  disease.  The  people  recognized  in  him 
one  who  had  suffered  as  they  had  suffered.  Whilst 
others  wrangled  over  the  axioms  of  a  threadbare 
philosophy,  Marat  alone  raised  his  voice  on  behalf  of 
the  wretched.  When  others  hesitated  or  drew  back, 
he  alone  came  forward  and  boldly  leaped  the  gulf 

96 


LOUVET 

fixed  between  aristocracy  and  democracy.  Little 
wonder  that  the  rabble  idolized  him,  for  he  was  the 
Parisian  mob  incarnate.  Of  course,  he  was  a  fanatic  ; 
reformers  always  are.  The  man  who  forces  his 
opinions  down  the  first-comer's  throat,  the  man 
who  stands  at  the  street  corner  shouting  his  con- 
fession of  faith  to  the  four  winds,  is  a  most  useful 
member  of  society.  It  is  the  fanatic  who  makes 
the  world  go  round ;  if  it  were  not  for  him  human 
society  would  die  of  inanition.  That  is  where 
Marat's  strength  lay,  just  as  Robespierre's  lay  in 
delation.  With  his  usual  acumen,  Robespierre  early 
recognized  that  Maratism  was  his  only  lever,  and  for 
this  reason  he  bore  with  its  founder,  whom,  in  his 
heart,  he  abhorred.*  But  Marat's  malady  grew  upon 
him,  and  when  Charlotte  Corday  put  him  out  of  his 
misery,  he  was  little  better  than  a  homicidal 
maniac. 

But  Lou  vet's  suspicions  of  these  men  were  not 
shared  by  his  older  colleagues.  They  hinted  that 
his  romantic  and  credulous  disposition  led  him  to 
imagine  plots  and  conspiracies  against  the  Common- 
wealth, where  there  was  nothing  more  than  the 
natural  interplay  of  diverse  passions  and  interests. 
His  prophecies,  like  those  of  Cassandra,  were  be- 
lieved only  when  they  were  fulfilled. 

With  that  blind  fatuity  which  so  often  charac- 
terized the  actions  of  the  Girondists  as  a  political 
body,  they  at  this  time  gave  another  instance  of 
their  child-like  confidence  in  the  good  faith  of  their 

*  Riouffe,  MJmoires  d'un  detenu. 

97  7 


LOUVET 

terrible  adversaries  by  appointing  Garat,  a  lying, 
scribbling,  cowardly  creature,  to  the  Ministry  of 
Justice,  and  Pache,  a  smooth-tongued,  smiling 
villain,  to  the  Ministry  of  War.  Buzot's  warm 
recommendation  was  mainly  responsible  for  these 
appointments,  in  spite  of  the  repeated  warnings  of 
Louvet  and  Salle.  Two  years  later,  when  the  blood 
of  the  noble  woman  he  loved  was  yet  warm  on  the 
scaffold,  the  proscribed  Buzot,  broken  in  body  and 
spirit,  and  within  a  few  days  of  a  horrible  death, 
wrote  bitterly  repenting  the  blind  obstinacy  which 
had  brought  into  power  two  of  the  most  implacable 
of  her  accusers  and  judges. 

The  inaction  of  the  Girondist  leaders  filled  Louvet 
with  despair.  The  only  members  of  the  party  he 
could  bring  round  to  his  way  of  thinking  were  Salle, 
Guadet,  Barbaroux,  and  Madame  Roland.  He  con- 
vinced them  that  if  they  did  not  strike  at  once  they 
were  doomed,  and  his  opinion  was  speedily  justified 
by  the  event.  In  spite  of  the  chaff  of  his  friends  and 
the  sneers  of  his  enemies  at  his  romanticism,  an  im- 
partial examination  of  the  evidence  forces  us  to  the 
conclusion  that  at  every  crisis  in  the  career  of  his 
party  Louvet  showed  that  he  possessed  a  keener 
political  insight  than  any  of  his  colleagues  ;  and  that 
had  they  but  listened  to  his  repeated  warnings,  they 
would  have  remained  in  power,  and  the  worst  ex- 
cesses of  the  Terror  would  have  been  prevented. 

This  was  also  the  opinion  of  Dr.  John  Moore, 
father  of  the  future  hero  of  Corunna,  an  eminently 
level-headed  Scotchman,  dimly  remembered  by  the 
curious  as  the  author  of  Zeluco,  the  novel  which  is 

98 


LOUVET 

saidpo  have  suggested  to  Byron  the  idea  of  Childe 
Harold.  Moore  was  of  an  inquiring  spirit,  and 
during  his  prolonged  stay  in  Paris  he  had  used  his 
eyes  to  some  purpose. 

"  There  is  reason  to  believe,"  said  he,  "  that 
Louvet's  accusation  was  just ;  that  Robespierre  was 
so  intoxicated  with  his  popularity  as  to  have  enter- 
tained hopes  of  being  appointed  Dictator ;  and  that 
Marat  and  Panis,  by  his  connivance,  sounded  Bar- 
baroux  of  Marseilles  and  Rebecqui  on  the  subject, 
about  the  time  when  the  Convention  first  assembled. 

"  The  popularity  of  Robespierre  at  that  period,  how- 
ever, was  pretty  much  confined  to  the  Department 
of  Paris.  The  vast  majority  of  the  Deputies  came 
to  the  Convention  strongly  prejudiced  against  him, 
and  with  a  high  opinion  of  the  integrity  of  Roland, 
and  of  the  talents  and  patriotism  of  the  Gironde 
party ;  for  two  or  three  months  after  the  first 
meeting  of  the  Convention,  any  person  who  attended 
that  Assembly  would  have  been  persuaded  that 
Robespierre  and  his  most  active  adherents  were  so 
much  the  objects  of  its  detestation  that  he  had  no 
chance  of  ever  having  influence  in  it.  By  his  in- 
fluence with  the  Jacobins,  the  Municipality,  and  the 
Mob,  and  with  the  assistance  of  a  minority  of  the 
Deputies,  he  forced  on  the  King's  trial,  and  then  had 
the  address  to  make  the  unwillingness  which  the 
Gironde  party  showed  to  that  measure,  and  even 
their  popular  proposal  of  an  appeal  to  the  people, 
matter  of  accusation  against  them,  and  the  cause 
of  their  ruin.  Having  now  devolved  the  command 
of  the  National  Guards  on  a  creature  of  his  own, 

99  7* 


LOUVET 

he  imperceptibly  obtained  an  irresistible  sway  in 
the  Committee  of  Public  Safety.  Being  supported 
by  the  Municipality  and  the  Jacobin  Clubs  ;  never 
once  yielding  to  pecuniary  corruption,  or  shocking 
the  eyes  of  the  populace  with  personal  magnificence ; 
turning  the  talents  and  crimes  of  others  to  the  pur- 
poses of  his  own  ambition ;  cutting  off  his  most 
confidential  friends  without  remorse  when  he  became 
the  least  jealous  of  them ;  having  by  wonderful 
address  found  means  to  have  creatures  of  his  own 
appointed  Commissioners  to  most  of  the  Depart- 
ments ;  and  the  mob  of  Paris  being  always  under 
the  management  of  his  agents,  he  at  last  attained 
his  object.  The  Convention  was  the  passive  organ 
of  his  will,  and  Robespierre  was  the  Dictator  of  the 
French  Republic.  But  after  having  drenched  every 
Department  of  France  with  blood,  he  became  giddy 
by  the  exercise  of  power,  forgot  his  original  caution, 
and,  by  filling  his  very  associates  with  terror,  obliged 
them  to  be  his  executioners  that  they  might  not 
become  his  victims." 

With  that  imaginative  insight  into  character 
which  is  such  a  remarkable  feature  of  his  romances, 
Louvet  read  the  hearts  of  the  men  with  whom  he 
had  to  deal,  and  what  he  saw  there  determined  him 
to  strike  whilst  there  was  yet  time. 

In  the  salon  of  Madame  Roland,  and  with  her 
encouragement  and  approval,  he  prepared  an 
elaborate  act  of  indictment  against  Robespierre, 
and  incidentally  against  Danton,  Marat,  and  the 
rebellious  Commune  of  Paris.  This  was  no  easy  task, 
for  the  men  he  attacked  were  the  idols  of  the  popu- 

100 


LOUVET 

lace,  and  he  had  no  definite  proofs  of  their  guilt.  He 
had  to  rely  solely  on  his  eloquence  ;  it  is  true  that 
his  confidence  in  his  witty  tongue  was  not  often 
disappointed ;  yet  it  required  an  iron  nerve  and  the 
greatest  courage  to  carry  out  his  resolution.  When 
he  had  finished  his  discourse,  he  took  it  with  him 
day  by  day  to  the  Convention,  watching  patiently 
for  a  favourable  opportunity  of  delivering  it. 

The  longed-for  chance  came  on  October  2gth,  1792, 
and  on  that  day  Louvet  delivered  the  great  speech  of 
his  life,  perhaps  the  most  famous  oration  pronounced 
during  the  whole  session  of  the  Convention. 


101 


CHAPTER  X 

Roland's  report  on  the  state  of  Paris — Alleged  plot  to  murder 
the  Girondist  leaders,  and  to  appoint  Robespierre  dictator — 
Robespierre  defends  himself — He  grows  eloquent  about  his  own 
virtues — Dares  anyone  to  denounce  him — Louvet  takes  up  the 
gauntlet — Robespierre  is  disconcerted — Louvet's  great  oration 
— Robespierre  loses  his  nerve,  and  is  unable  to  reply — His  friends 
save  him — Effect  of  Louvet's  eloquence — Scene  at  the  Jacobin 
Club. 

ON  that  day  Roland  presented  a  memorial  on 
the  state  of  Paris.  In  this  report,  which  is 
full  of  vigour,  he  expressed  his  abhorrence  of  the 
crimes  of  September,  openly  accused  the  Commune 
of  instigating  the  late  excesses,  and  bitterly  con- 
demned its  systematic  abuse  of  power  and  open 
defiance  of  the  law.  Roland  at  the  same  time  read 
a  letter,  addressed  to  the  Minister  of  Justice,  re- 
vealing an  alleged  plot  to  murder  Brissot,  Vergniaud, 
Guadet,  Buzot,  Louvet,  himself,  and  other  members 
of  the  Convention  who  displeased  the  "  real  patriots," 
and  of  putting  forward  Robespierre  as  the  most 
fit  person  to  conduct  the  government  in  the  present 
emergency. 

"  Ah  !  the  villain  !  "  shouted  one  of  the  members 
immediately  his  name  was  pronounced. 

For  some  time  after  Roland's  report  had  been 
read  there  was  such  an  uproar  in  the  Convention 
that  no  man  could  make  himself  heard.  When 
Robespierre  at  length  rose,  the  tumult  increased 

102 


LOUVET 

rather  than  subsided.  He  was  at  last  heard  to  say 
that  he  wished  to  justify  himself  from  the  calumnies 
of  the  Minister.  He  was  instantly  interrupted  by  a 
cry  to  close  the  discussion  ;  he  then  said  he  wished 
to  speak  against  printing  the  memorial.  This  was 
at  first  refused,  but  when  it  was  pointed  out  that 
they  could  not  decree  a  proposition  without  hearing 
those  who  wished  to  speak  against  it,  the  Convention 
resigned  itself,  with  a  yawn,  to  the  inevitable. 

The  picturesque  pen  of  Dr.  John  Moore  is  responsible 
for  the  following  report  of  this  memorable  sitting  : — 

"  Robespierre  began  with  a  few  sentences  con- 
cerning the  printing  of  the  paper,  and  immediately 
deviated  into  an  eulogium  on  his  own  conduct. 
Guadet,  the  President,  reminded  him  of  the  question. 
'  I  have  no  need  of  your  admonition,'  said 
Robespierre  ;  '  I  know  very  well  on  what  I  have  to 
speak.' 

"  '  He  thinks  himself  already  Dictator,'  exclaimed 
a  member. 

" '  Robespierre,  speak  against  the  printing,'  said 
the  President. 

"  Robespierre  then  resumed,  and  declaimed  on 
everything  except  against  the  printing.  His  voice 
was  again  drowned  by  an  outcry  against  his  wan- 
derings. The  President  strove  to  procure  silence, 
that  Robespierre  might  be  heard,  which  he  no  sooner 
was,  than  he  accused  the  President  of  encouraging 
the  clamour  against  him. 

"  No  accusation  could  be  more  unjust  or  more 
injudicious  than  this,  because  it  was  false,  and  because 
everybody  present  was  witness  to  its  falsehood.  The 

103 


LOUVET 

President  had  done  all  in  his  power  that  Robespierre 
might  be  heard,  and  had  actually  broken  three  bells 
by  ringing  to  procure  him  silence. 

"  The  President  then  said  :  '  Robespierre,  you  are 
yourself  witness  to  the  efforts  I  have  made  to  restore 
silence,  but  I  forgive  you  that  additional  calumny.' 

"  Robespierre  resumed,  and  continued  to  speak  of 
himself  a  considerable  time  in  the  most  flattering 
terms. 

"  Many  people  prefer  speaking  of  themselves  to 
any  other  topic  of  discourse,  as  well  as  Robespierre  ; 
but  in  him  this  propensity  is  irresistible.  Praise 
acts  as  a  cordial  on  the  spirits  of  most  people,  but 
it  is  the  praise  they  receive  from  others  which  has 
that  effect ;  what  is  peculiar  to  Robespierre  is,  that 
he  seems  as  much  enlivened  by  the  eulogies  he 
bestows  on  himself  as  others  are  by  the  applause  of 
their  fellow-citizens. 

"  The  panegyric  he  pronounced  on  his  own  virtues 
evidently  raised  his  spirits,  and  inspired  him  with 
a  courage  which  at  last  precipitated  him  into  rash- 
ness. '  A  system  of  calumny  is  established,'  said 
he  with  a  lofty  voice,  '  and  against  whom  is  it 
directed  ?  Against  a  zealous  patriot.  Yet  who  is 
there  among  you  who  dares  rise  and  accuse  me  to 
my  face  ? ' 

"  '  Moi,'  exclaimed  a  voice  from  one  end  of  the 
hall.  There  was  a  profound  silence,  in  the  midst 
of  which  a  thin,  lank,  pale-faced  man  stalked  along 
the  hall  like  a  spectre  ;  and  being  come  directly 
opposite  the  tribune,  he  fixed  Robespierre,  and 
said :  *  Oui,  Robespierre,  c'est  moi  qui  t' 'accuse.' 

104 


LOUVET 

"  It  was  Jean-Baptiste  Louvet. 

"  Robespierre  was  confounded ;  he  stood  motion- 
less and  turned  pale ;  he  could  not  have  seemed 
more  alarmed  had  a  bleeding  head  spoken  to  him 
from  a  charger. 

"  Louvet  ascended,  and  appeared  in  front  of  the 
tribune,  while  Robespierre  shrank  to  one  side. 

"  Danton,  perceiving  how  very  much  his  friend 
was  disconcerted,  called  out :  '  Continue,  Robes- 
pierre ;  there  are  many  good  citizens  here  to  hear 
you.' 

"  This  seemed  to  be  a  hint  to  the  people  in  the 
galleries,  that  they  might  show  themselves  in  support 
of  the  patriot,  but  they  remained  neutevr. 

"  The  Assembly  was  in  such  confusion  for  some 
time  that  nothing  distinct  could  be  heard.  Robes- 
pierre again  attempted  to  speak — his  discourse  was 
as  confused  as  the  Assembly — he  quitted  the  tribune. 

"  Danton  went  into  it ;  his  drift  was  to  prevent 
Louvet  from  being  heard,  and  to  propose  a  future 
day  for  taking  into  consideration  Roland's  memorial ; 
and  as  Marat  seemed  at  this  time  to  be  rather  en 
mauvaise  odeur  with  the  Convention,  Danton  thought 
proper  to  make  a  declaration  which  had  no  connec- 
tion with  the  debate,  and  which  nobody  thought 
sincere  :  '  I  declare  to  the  whole  Republic  that  I  do 
not  love  the  man  Marat.  I  frankly  acknowledge 
that  I  have  some  experience  of  this  person ;  and 
I  find  not  only  that  he  is  of  a  turbulent  and  quarrel- 
some disposition,  but  also  unsociable.' 

"  This  conveys  no  favourable  idea  of  Danton's 
eloquence.  After  finding  the  two  first  qualities  in 

105 


LOUVET 

Marat,  it  is  surprising  that  he  could  search  for  a 
third.  It  is  as  if  a  man  were  to  give  as  his  reason  for 
not  keeping  company  with  an  old  acquaintance,  that 
he  not  only  found  him  quite  mad,  and  always  ready 
to  stab  those  near  him  with  a  dagger,  but  that,  over 
and  above,  he  was  sometimes  a  little  too  reserved. 

"  This  did  not  divert  Lou  vet  from  his  purpose  ; 
he  persevered,  and  the  Assembly  decreed  that  he 
should  be  heard. 

"  He  began  by  requesting  the  President's  protec- 
tion, that  he  might  be  heard  without  interruption, 
for  he  was  going  to  mention  things  that  would  be 
mortally  offensive  to  some  present — who,  he  said, 
were  already  sore,  and  would  be  apt  to  scream  when 
he  came  to  touch  the  tender  parts.  As  he  continued 
a  little  on  some  preliminary  topics,  Danton  ex- 
claimed :  '  I  desire  that  the  accuser  would  put  his 
finger  into  the  wound.' 

"  '  I  intend  to  do  so,'  replied  Louvet ;  '  but  why 
does  Danton  scream  beforehand  ? ' 

"  Louvet  then  proceeded  to  unfold  the  popular 
artifices  by  which  Robespierre  acquired  his  influence 
in  the  Jacobin  Society ;  '  that  he  had  introduced 
into  it  a  number  of  men  devoted  to  him,  and,  by 
an  insolent  exercise  of  his  power,  had  driven  some  of 
the  most  respectable  members  out  of  it ;  that  after 
the  loth  of  August  he  had  been  chosen  of  the  Council, 
General  of  the  Commune,  and  acquired  equal  influence 
there.  Where  he  was  on  that  memorable  day,'  said 
Louvet,  '  nobody  can  tell ;  all  we  know  is,  that 
like  Sofia  in  the  play,  he  did  not  appear  till  after 
the  battle.  On  the  eleventh  or  twelfth  he  presented 

106 


LOUVET 

himself  to  the  Commune,  and  under  his  auspices  all 
the  orders  for  arresting  the  citizens  were  issued ; 
that  orders  had  been  given  for  arresting  Roland  and 
Brissot,  which,  by  the  care  of  some  of  their  friends, 
had  not  been  executed ;  that  a  band  of  men  had 
arrogated  to  themselves  the  honour  of  the  Revolu- 
tion of  August,  whereas  the  massacres  of  September 
only  belonged  to  them.'  Here  Tallien  and  some 
others  of  Robespierre's  faction,  who  were  also  of 
the  General  Council,  began  to  murmur ;  on  which  a 
member  called  out :  '  Silence,  sore  ones  !  '  and  Louvet 
resumed  with  great  animation.  '  Yes,  barbarians ! 
to  you  belong  the  horrid  massacres  of  September, 
which  you  now  impute  to  the  citizens  of  Paris.  The 
citizens  of  Paris  were  all  present  at  the  Tuileries  on 
the  loth  of  August,  but  who  were  witnesses  of  the 
murders  in  September  ?  Two,  or  perhaps  three 
hundred  spectators,  whom  an  incomprehensible 
curiosity  had  drawn  before  the  prisons. 

"  '  But  it  is  asked,  Why,  then,  did  not  the  citizens  pre- 
vent them  ?  Because  they  were  struck  with  terror ; 
the  alarm  guns  had  been  fired,  the  tocsin  had  sounded ; 
because  their  ears  were  imposed  on  by  false  rumours ; 
because  their  eyes  were  astonished  at  the  sight  of 
municipal  officers,  dressed  in  scarfs,  presiding  at  the 
executions ;  because  Roland  exclaimed  in  vain ; 
because  Danton,  the  Minister  of  Justice,  was  silent  ; 
and  because  Santerre,  the  Commander  of  the  National 
Guards,  remained  inactive.  Soon  after  these  lament- 
able scenes,'  continued  Louvet,  '  the  Legislative 
Assembly  was  frequently  calumniated,  insulted,  and 
even  threatened,  by  this  insolent  demagogue.' 

107 


LOUVET 

"  Here  Louvet  being  interrupted  by  the  exclama- 
tions of  Robespierre's  adherents,  La  Croix  went  up 
to  the  tribune,  and  declared  that  one  evening,  while 
he  was  President  of  the  Legislative  Assembly,  but 
not  in  the  chair,  Robespierre,  at  the  head  of  a  deputa- 
tion of  the  General  Council,  came  to  the  bar  with  a 
particular  petition,  which  La  Croix  opposed,  and 
the  Assembly  passed  to  the  order  of  the  day ;  that 
having  retired  to  the  extremity  of  the  hall,  Robes- 
pierre said  to  him,  that  if  the  Legislative  Assembly 
would  not  with  goodwill  do  what  he  required,  he 
would  force  them  to  do  it  by  the  sound  of  the  tocsin ; 
on  which,  La  Croix  said,  he  had  taken  his  seat  as 
President,  and  related  to  the  Assembly  what  had 
passed. 

"  Other  members  bore  testimony  to  Robespierre's 
having  pronounced  the  threat,  and  they  confirmed 
the  truth  of  all  that  La  Croix  had  related.  One 
added  that  La  Croix's  friends  had  entreated  him  not 
to  return  to  his  house  that  evening  by  the  Terrace 
of  the  Feuillants,  because  assassins  were  posted  there 
to  murder  him. 

"  This  interlude  excited  fresh  indignation  against 
Robespierre,  who  made  some  efforts  to  be  heard 
from  the  tribune.  One  of  the  members  observed  that 
a  man  accused  of  such  a  crime  ought  not  to  place 
himself  in  the  tribune,  but  at  the  bar. 

"  Robespierre  persisted,  but  the  Assembly  decided 
that  he  should  not  be  heard  till  Louvet  had  finished. 

" '  The  Legislative  Assembly,'  said  Louvet,  re- 
suming the  very  sentence  at  which  he  had  been 
interrupted,  '  was  calumniated,  insulted,  and  menaced 

108 


LOUVET 

by  this  insolent  demagogue,  who,  with  eternal 
proscriptions  in  his  mouth,  accused  some  of  the 
most  deserving  representatives  of  the  people  of 
having  sold  the  nation  to  Brunswick,  and  accused 
them  the  day  before  the  assassinations  began ;  in 
his  bloody  proscriptions  all  the  new  Ministers  were 
included  except  one,  and  that  one  always  the  same. 
Will  it  be  in  thy  power,  Danton,'  continued  Louvet, 
darting  his  eyes  on  the  late  Minister  of  Justice,  '  to 
justify  thy  character  to  posterity  for  that  excep- 
tion ?  Do  not  expect  to  blind  us  now  by  disavowing 
Marat,  that  enfant  perdu  de  Passassinat ;  it  was 
through  your  influence,  by  your  harangues  at  the 
Electoral  Assemblies,  in  which  you  blackened  Priest- 
ley, and  whitewashed  Marat,  that  he  is  now  of  this 
Convention.  Upon  that  occasion  I  demanded  leave 
to  speak  against  such  a  candidate.  As  I  retired,  I 
was  surrounded  by  those  men,  with  bludgeons  and 
sabres,  by  whom  the  future  Dictator  was  always 
accompanied ;  those  body-guards  of  Robespierre, 
during  the  period  of  the  massacres,  often  looked  at 
me  with  threatening  countenances,  and  one  of  them 
said  :  "  It  will  be  your  turn  soon."  ' 

Louvet  concluded  his  eloquent  speech  on  a  rising 
note  of  indignation.  Undisturbed  by  the  clamour, 
he  remorselessly  followed  his  enemy  step  by  step. 

"  Robespierre,  I  accuse  thee  of  having  long  calum- 
niated the  best  and  purest  patriots.  I  accuse  thee 
because  I  think  the  honour  of  good  citizens  and  of 
the  representatives  of  the  people  belongs  not  to 
thee. 

"  I  accuse  thee  of  having  calumniated  the  same 
109 


LOUVET 

men,  with  even  greater  fury,  during  the  first  days 
of  September ;  that  is  to  say,  at  a  time  when  thy 
calumnies  were  proscriptions. 

"  I  accuse  thee  of  having,  so  far  as  in  thee  lay, 
wilfully  misunderstood,  persecuted,  and  vilified  the 
representatives  of  the  nation,  and  of  having  caused 
them  to  be  misunderstood,  persecuted  and  vilified  by 
others. 

"  I  accuse  thee  of  having  continually  thrust  thy- 
self forward  as  an  object  of  idolatry ;  of  having 
suffered  it  to  be  said  in  thy  presence  that  thou  wert 
the  only  really  virtuous  man  in  France,  the  only 
man  who  could  save  the  country,  and  of  having  at 
least  twenty  times  said  as  much  thyself. 

"  I  accuse  thee  of  having  tyrannized  the  Electoral 
Assembly  of  Paris  by  every  ruse  of  intrigue  and 
intimidation. 

"  I  accuse  thee  of  aiming  openly  at  the  supreme 
power. 

"  Legislators,  you  have  in  your  midst  another 
man,  whose  name  shall  not  soil  my  lips,  whom  I 
have  no  need  to  accuse,  for  his  own  mouth  condemns 
him.  He  himself  has  told  you,"  continued  Louvet, 
"  that  in  his  opinion  it  is  necessary  that  260,000  heads 
should  fall  if  the  country  is  to  be  saved ;  he  himself 
has  avowed  what,  for  that  matter,  it  would  be  idle 
in  him  to  deny,  that  he  has  counselled  the  subversion 
of  the  government ;  that  he  has  proposed  the  ap- 
pointment of  a  tribune,  a  dictator,  a  triumvirate ; 
but  when  he  made  this  avowal,  you  were  perhaps 
not  aware  of  all  the  circumstances  which  rendered 
it  a  national  delinquency ;  and  this  man  is  in  your 

no 


LOUVET 

midst !  France  is  indignant.  Europe  is  astounded. 
They  await  your  decision. 

"  I  demand  that  you  empower  a  committee  to 
examine  into  the  conduct  of  Robespierre. 

"  And  in  order  to  prevent  so  far  as  possible  the 
recurrence  of  such  conspiracies  as  I  now  denounce 
to  you,  and  for  the  maintenance  of  the  liberty  of 
the  people,  before  which  every  private  interest  should 
disappear,  I  demand  that  you  charge  your  Constitu- 
tional Committee  to  consider  whether  you  should  not 
pass  a  law  banishing  every  man  who  shall  make  of 
his  name  a  subject  of  division  among  citizens. 

"  Above  all,  I  insist  that  you  should  this  instant 
pronounce  sentence  upon  a  man  of  blood,  whose 
crimes  are  proven,  so  that  if  anyone  have  the  courage 
to  defend  him,  he  may  mount  the  tribune,  and  in 
the  name  of  our  glory,  for  the  honour  of  our  country, 
I  beseech  you  not  to  separate  without  having  judged 
him.  I  demand  an  immediate  decree  of  accusation 
against  Marat.  .  .  .  Good  God !  I  have  named 
him." 

Louvet's  rhetoric  utterly  unnerved  Robespierre. 
For  some  minutes  he  stood  hesitating  amidst  the 
uproar,  vainly  trying  to  compose  his  features,  and 
to  steady  his  faltering  voice.  At  length  he  regained 
the  power  of  speech,  which  had  temporarily  forsaken 
him,  sufficiently  to  demand  time  in  which  to  prepare 
his  defence.  Seeing  through  his  manoeuvre,  Louvet 
moved  that  he  should  be  heard  immediately.  But 
the  Convention  ultimately  adjourned  for  this  purpose 
until  the  5th  of  November.  Robespierre's  collapse 
on  this  and  other  occasions  when  taken  by  surprise 

in 


LOUVET 

is  significant,  and  seems  to  point  to  the  fact  that  he 
was  not  gifted  with  a  ready  wit.  In  the  privacy  of 
his  study  he  could  concoct  an  eloquent  and  even 
convincing  discourse  on  any  given  subject,  but  he 
was  quite  incapable  of  an  effective  impromptu  speech. 
He  was  one  of  those  people  who  think  of  the  right 
thing  to  say  a  few  seconds  after  the  right  moment  of 
saying  it.  There  are  few  things  more  bitter  to  the 
taste  than  the  undelivered  retort.  On  the  gth 
Thermidor  his  enemies  triumphed  by  taking  ad- 
vantage of  this  infirmity. 

"  Robespierre,"  says  Dr.  Moore,  "  was  thrown  into 
such  confusion  that  he  did  not  fully  recover  his 
spirits  and  recollection  afterwards.  The  effect  of 
eloquence  on  an  assembly  of  Frenchmen  is  violent 
and  instantaneous  ;  the  indignation  which  Louvet's 
speech  raised  against  Robespierre  was  prodigious ; 
at  some  particular  parts  I  thought  his  person  in 
danger.  I  fancy  the  demand  of  so  long  an  interval 
before  he  should  make  his  defence  was  suggested  by 
Danton,  or  some  other  of  his  friends  ;  it  was  a  prudent 
measure  ;  had  he  attempted  to  answer  immediately, 
he  must  have  lost  his  cause.  All  his  eloquence  and 
address  could  not  at  that  time  have  effaced  the  strong 
impression  which  Louvet  had  made. 

"  Although  he  drew  the  attack  on  himself  by  his 
imprudent  boasting,  yet  he  was  taken  unprepared ; 
the  galleries  in  particular  had  been  neglected  on  that 
day,  for  the  audience  showed  no  partiality — a  thing 
so  unusual  when  he  spoke,  that  it  is  believed  to  have 
helped  greatly  to  disconcert  him." 

That  evening  the  sitting  of  the  Convention  was  as 
112 


LOUVET 

usual  rehearsed  at  the  Jacobin  Club.  The  story  of 
Louvet's  "  abominable  conduct  "  was  on  every  tongue. 

"  By  connecting  petty  conjectures  with  puerile 
suppositions,"  saidFabre  d' Eglantine,  "  they  make  out 
a  vast  conspiracy,  and  yet  they  will  not  tell  us  where 
it  is,  who  are  the  conspirators,  or  what  are  their 
means."  He  proposed  that  Petion,  who  was  the 
friend  of  both  men,  should  be  asked  to  settle  the 
squabble.  But  Merlin  objected  that  to  set  up  one 
citizen  as  the  supreme  judge  between  others  was  a 
violation  of  equality.  Whereupon  Fabre  prudently 
withdrew  his  motion. 

Robespierre  the  younger  then  rose  to  speak.  His 
chief  grievance  was  that  he  had  not  been  calum- 
niated as  his  brother  had  been. 

"It  is  a  moment  of  the  greatest  danger,"  he  said. 
"  All  the  people  are  not  with  us.  The  citizens  of 
Paris  alone  are  sufficiently  enlightened ;  the  rest 
still  grope  in  darkness.  Since  the  Convention  has 
heard  out  Louvet's  long-drawn  lie,  it  is  possible  that 
innocence  may  succumb  on  Monday." 


CHAPTER  XI 

Robespierre  defends  himself  against  Louvet's  accusation — His 
popularity  with  the  women  of  Paris — The  galleries  packed — 
Louvet  is  prevented  from  replying — Uproar  in  the  Convention 
— The  diplomatic  Barere — His  peculiar  talents — His  character — 
Lethargy  of  Louvet's  colleagues — Decline  of  the  Gironde — Louvet 
issues  a  pamphlet — A  number  of  La  Sentinelle. 

THE  day  on  which  Robespierre  was  to  make  his 
defence  the  galleries  of  the  Convention  were 
crowded  to  suffocation.  Before  Robespierre  could 
ascend  the  tribune  a  deputy  complained  that  the 
galleries  had  been  packed,  chiefly  with  women  who 
had  been  introduced  for  the  purpose  of  applauding 
the  speaker,  while  all  impartial  citizens  were  forcibly 
kept  out.  All  eyes  were  turned  to  the  galleries,  and 
there  was  an  outburst  of  merriment  when  it  was  found 
that  they  were  almost  entirely  filled  with  women. 
It  had  often  been  remarked  that  Robespierre's  elo- 
quence found  peculiar  favour  with  the  fair  sex,  and 
that  the  proportion  of  women  present  at  the  Jacobin 
Club  was  always  greater  when  he  was  expected  to 
speak.  There  was  something  of  the  cleric  in  Robes- 
pierre's nature,  and  it  was  perhaps  this  quality 
which  fascinated  them — the  "  cloth  "  has  ever  had 
a  mysterious  attraction  for  the  feminine  mind. 
Moreover,  he  had  many  of  the  virtues  which  strongly 
appeal  to  the  average  French  working  woman.  He 
was  industrious  and  thrifty,  full  of  sentiment,  and, 
above  all,  he  was  clean  and  honest. 

114 


From  an  engraving  by  Levachez. 


Designed  and  engraved  by  Duplessis  Berteatix. 

MAXIMILIEN  ROBESPIERRE. 


[70  face  page  114. 


LOUVET 

"You  accuse  me,"  said  he,  "of  aspiring  to  the 
supreme  power.  If  such  a  scheme  is  criminal,  it  must 
be  allowed  to  be  still  more  bold.  To  succeed,  I  must 
have  been  able,  not  only  to  overthrow  the  throne, 
but  also  to  annihilate  the  legislature,  and,  above  all, 
to  prevent  its  being  replaced  by  a  National  Conven- 
tion. But,  as  a  matter  of  fact,  it  was  I  myself,  in 
my  public  discourses  and  writings,  who  first  proposed 
a  National  Convention  as  the  only  means  of  saving  the 
country.  To  arrive  at  the  Dictatorship,  it  was  not 
enough  to  render  myself  master  of  Paris :  I  must 
also  have  been  able  to  subdue  the  other  eighty-two 
Departments.  Where  is  my  treasury  ?  Where  are 
my  armies  ?  What  strongholds  are  in  my  hands  ? 
All  the  riches  and  all  the  power  of  the  State  were  in 
the  hands  of  my  enemies.  Under  these  circumstances, 
to  make  it  credible  that  I  had  such  a  design,  my 
accusers  must  demonstrate  that  I  am  a  complete 
madman." 

"  That  would  not  be  difficult,"  exclaimed  a  member 
near  him. 

"  And  when  they  had  made  that  point  clear," 
continued  Robespierre,  "  I  cannot  conceive  what  they 
will  gain  by  it,  for  then  it  will  remain  for  them  to  prove 
that  a  madman  can  be  dangerous  in  a  State." 

"  Bah  !  "  said  the  Deputy  who  had  already  spoken, 
"  they  are  the  most  dangerous  of  all." 

He  denied  having  had  much  connection  with  Marat, 
and  explained  how  he  had  been  induced  to  have  the 
little  which  he  avowed,  and  he  declared  that  Marat 
had  not  been  elected  to  the  Convention  on  his  recom- 
mendation, nor,  perhaps,  from  any  high  opinion 

115  8* 


LOUVET 

which  the  electors  had  of  that  Deputy,  but  from  their 
hatred  to  the  aristocrats,  whose  mortal  enemy  they 
knew  him  to  be. 

"  I  am  accused,"  continued  he,  "  of  having 
exercised  the  despotism  of  opinion  in  the  Jacobin 
Society.  That  kind  of  despotism  over  the  minds  of 
a  society  of  freemen  could  only  be  acquired  by  reason- 
ing. I  find  nothing,  therefore,  to  blush  at  in  this 
accusation.  Nothing  can  be  more  flattering  to  me 
than  the  good  opinion  of  the  Jacobins,  especially  as 
Louis  XVI.  and  Monsieur  de  Lafayette  have  both 
found  that  the  opinion  of  the  Jacobins  is  the  opinion 
of  France.  But  now,  that  society,  as  Louvet  pre- 
tends, is  not  what  it  was  :  it  has  degenerated  ;  and 
perhaps,  after  having  accused  me,  his  next  step  will 
be  to  demand  the  proscription  of  the  Jacobins.  We 
shall  then  see  whether  he  will  be  more  persuasive 
and  more  successful  than  were  Leopold  and 
Lafayette." 

Passing  from  the  personal  accusations  made  against 
him,  Robespierre  turned  to  repel  the  attack  on  the 
Commune  of  Paris. 

"  They  are  accused  of  arresting  men  contrary  to 
the  forms  of  law.  Was  it  expected,  then,  that  we 
were  to  accomplish  a  revolution  in  the  government 
with  the  code  of  laws  in  our  hands  ?  Was  it  not 
because  the  laws  were  impotent  that  the  Revolution 
was  necessary  ?  Why  are  we  not  also  accused  of 
having  disarmed  suspected  citizens,  and  of  excluding 
from  the  assemblies  which  deliberate  on  the  public 
safety  all  known  enemies  of  the  Revolution  ?  Why 
do  you  not  bring  accusations  against  the  Electoral 

116 


LOUVET 

Assemblies  and  the  Primary  Assemblies  ?  They  have 
all  done  acts,  during  this  crisis,  which  are  illegal, 
as  illegal  as  the  overthrowing  of  the  Bastille,  as  illegal 
as  Liberty  itself. 

"  When  the  Roman  consul  had  suppressed  the 
conspiracy  of  Catiline,  Clodius  accused  him  of  having 
violated  the  laws.  The  consul's  defence  was  that  he 
had  saved  the  Republic. 

"  We  are  accused  of  sending  Commissioners  to  the 
various  Departments.  What  !  is  it  imagined  that  the 
Revolution  was  to  be  completed  by  a  simple  coup- 
de-main,  and  seizing  the  palace  of  the  Tuileries  ?  Was 
it  not  necessary  to  communicate  to  all  France  that 
salutary  commotion  which  had  electrified  Paris. 

"  What  species  of  persecution  is  this,  which  con- 
verts into  crimes  the  very  efforts  by  which  we  broke 
our  chains  ?  At  this  rate  what  people  will  ever  be 
able  to  shake  off  the  yoke  of  despotism  ?  The  people 
of  a  large  country  cannot  act  together  ;  the  tyrant 
can  only  be  struck  by  those  who  are  near  him.  How 
is  it  to  be  expected  that  they  will  venture  to  attack 
him,  if  those  citizens  who  come  from  the  distant 
parts  of  the  nation  shall,  after  the  victory,  make  them 
responsible  by  law  for  the  means  they  used  to  save 
their  country  ?  The  friends  of  freedom,  who 
assembled  at  Paris  in  the  month  of  August,  did  their 
best  for  general  liberty.  You  must  approve  or  dis- 
avow their  whole  conduct  taken  together,  and  can- 
not, in  candour,  examine  into  partial  disorders,  which 
have  ever  been  inseparable  from  great  revolutions. 
The  people  of  France,  who  have  chosen  you  as  their 
delegates,  have  ratified  all  that  happened  in  bringing 

117 


LOUVET 

about  the  Revolution.  Your  being  now  assembled 
here  is  a  proof  of  this  :  you  are  not  sent  to  this  Con- 
vention as  Justices  of  the  Peace,  but  as  Legislators  ; 
you  are  not  delegated  to  look  with  inquisitorial  eyes 
into  every  circumstance  of  that  insurrection  which 
has  given  liberty  to  France,  but  to  cement  by  wise 
laws  that  fabric  of  freedom  which  France  has 
obtained." 

He  then  attempted  to  exonerate  the  people  from 
the  blame  attaching  to  the  Septemoer  massacres  by 
calling  to  mind  the  dangers  which  threatened  Paris, 
and  he  justified  the  fury  of  the  citizens  at  the  thought 
of  marching  to  the  frontier,  leaving  behind  them  con- 
spirators, who,  he  asserted,  would  have  risen  on  the 
first  opportunity  and  massacred  their  families. 

"  I  am  told,"  concluded  Robespierre,  "  that  one 
innocent  person  perished  among  the  prisoners,  some 
say  more  ;  but  one  is  doubtless  too  many.  Citizens, 
it  is  very  natural  to  shed  tears  over  such  an  accident. 
I  myself  have  wept  bitterly  over  this  fatal  mistake. 
I  am  even  sorry  that  the  other  prisoners,  though  they 
all  deserved  death  by  the  law,  should  have  fallen 
by  the  irregular  justice  of  the  people.  But  do  not  let 
us  exhaust  our  tears  on  them  :  let  us  save  a  few  for 
ten  thousand  patriots  sacrificed  by  the  tyrants  around 
us  ;  weep  for  your  fellow-citizens,  dying  beneath  the 
ruins  of  their  homes,  shattered  by  the  cannon  of 
those  tyrants ;  let  us  reserve  a  few  tears  for  the 
children  of  our  friends  murdered  before  their  eyes, 
and  their  babes  stabbed  in  their  mothers'  arms,  by 
the  mercenary  barbarians  who  invade  our  country. 
I  must  confess  that  I  greatly  suspect  that  kind  of 

118 


LOUVET 

sensitiveness  which  is  shown  in  lamenting  the  death 
of  the  enemies  of  freedom  alone.  On  hearing  those 
pathetic  lamentations  for  Lamballe  and  Montmorin, 
I  think  I  hear  the  manifesto  of  Brunswick.  Cease 
to  unfold  the  bloody  robe  of  the  tyrant  before  the 
eyes  of  the  people,  or  I  shall  believe  you  wish  to  rivet 
Rome's  fetters  upon  her  again.  Admirable  humanity  ! 
which  tends  to  enslave  the  nation,  and  manifests 
a  barbarous  desire  to  shed  the  blood  of  the  best 
patriots  !  " 

It  is  easy  to  imagine  the  effect  which  this  adroit 
blending  of  subtle  logic  and  womanly  emotion  had  on 
an  assembly  of  men  peculiarly  susceptible  to  those 
qualities.  The  speech  was  received  with  acclamation, 
and  Robespierre  felt  that  he  had  weathered  the  storm. 
A  member  then  rose  to  move  the  order  of  the  day. 
This  was  opposed  by  Lou  vet,  who  demanded  leave 
to  reply.  There  was  a  mad  rush  of  many  members 
towards  the  tribune,  to  support  or  to  oppose  the 
motion.  The  uproar  was  deafening.  It  was  one  of 
the  vices  of  the  French  parliamentary  system,  or, 
rather,  lack  of  system,  that  discussion  was  impossible. 
A  man  accused  of  inciting  the  people  to  murder  was 
held  to  have  refuted  the  charge  when  he  had  delivered 
a  florid  discourse  on  the  Republican  virtues,  as  illus- 
trated by  his  own  political  career. 

The  clamour  in  the  Convention  shocked  all  passive 
observers.  Everyone  spoke  at  once,  and  amid  the 
tumult,  motions  were  put  to  the  vote  and  declared 
carried,  whilst  half  the  members  were  ignorant  of  the 
fact  until  enlightened  by  the  public  journals  on  the 
following  day. 

119 


LOUVET 

"  I  expect  little  good  of  Deputies  who  are  incapable 
of  listening,"  said  David  Williams,  the  Unitarian 
minister,  to  Madame  Roland.  "  You  French  no 
longer  study  that  external  propriety  which  stands  for 
so  much  in  Assemblies ;  heedlessness  and  coarse- 
ness are  no  recommendations  for  a  Legislature ;  " 
and  this  bitterly  disillusioned  Republican  left  Paris 
in  disgust.  It  was  in  keeping  with  this  head-over- 
heels  method  of  parliamentary  procedure  that  Louvet 
was  prevented  from  replying  to  Robespierre's 
counterblast. 

When  the  tumult  had  at  length  subsided  to  the 
state  of  unrest  which  characterized  the  Convention 
in  its  normal  condition,  Bardre  rose  to  make  one  of 
those  sharp,  discreet,  inimitable  speeches  for  which 
he  was  famous.  The  Convention  always  listened 
readily  to  what  he  had  to  say,  for  he  had  somehow 
acquired  a  reputation  for  impartiality.  This  he  owed 
in  a  great  measure  to  his  extraordinary  aptitude  for 
formulating  other  people's  convictions.  Thus  what 
was  often  naught  but  his  moral  cowardice,  was 
belauded  as  worldly  wisdom.  Endowed  with  an 
unerring  sensitiveness  to  coming  political  changes, 
which  made  of  him  a  sort  of  Revolutionary  barometer, 
he  was  enabled  to  profit  by  all  parties  and  still  be 
subservient  to  none.  Not  the  least  remarkable 
among  his  positive  qualities,  which  distinguished  him 
from  many  greater  and  better  men  among  his  con- 
temporaries, was  an  infinite  capacity  for  keeping  his 
head  upon  his  shoulders. 

Is  it  for  us  to  condemn  him  if  he  developed  this 
natural  faculty  to  the  utmost  ?  In  times  of  social 

120 


LOUVET 

upheaval  it  is  easy  for  a  man  of  parts,  both  on  public 
and  private  grounds,  to  set  an  exaggerated  estimate 
upon  the  value  of  his  life.  Under  the  Directory  some- 
one asked  Sieyes  what  he  did  during  the  Terror. 
"  I  lived,"  was  the  significant  reply.  Bar  ere,  like 
Sieyes  and  many  another,  was  content  to  thank  the 
gods  and  make  no  boast  of  it. 

I  should  be  sorry  to  see  a  mercurial,  irresponsible 
creature  such  as  Barere  held  up  to  the  admiration 
of  his  fellows  ;  but  when  I  read  Macaulay's  judgment 
of  him,  however  just  it  may  be,  I  feel  much  in  the 
position  of  a  man  called  upon  to  witness  a  public 
knoutting,  and  I  am  glad  to  turn  my  eyes  from  the 
shameful  spectacle. 

Bar£re's  circumspection  on  the  present  occasion 
clearly  indicates  that  the  rival  parties  were  equally 
matched.  Until  he  saw  which  way  the  tide  was 
setting,  he  alternately  hit  and  flattered  each  of  the 
parties.  His  attitude  was  that  of  George  Eliot's 
diplomatic  innkeeper,  "  You're  both  right,  and  you're 
both  wrong,  as  I  always  says." 

"  Citizens,"  said  he,  "  if  there  existed  in  the  Re- 
public a  man  born  with  the  genius  of  a  Caesar  or  the 
boldness  of  a  Cromwell,  a  man  in  possession  of  the 
power  to  do  harm,  combined  with  the  talents  of  a 
Sylla  ;  if  we  had  here  any  legislator  of  great  genius, 
of  vast  ambition,  with  the  public  treasury  at  his 
disposal,  and  a  great  party  supporting  him  in  the 
Senate  or  in  the  Republic :  a  general,  for  instance,  his 
brow  wreathed  with  laurels,  returning  among  you  to 
dictate  laws,  or  to  violate  the  laws  of  the  people,  I 
would  come  boldly  forward  and  accuse  him,  for  such 

121 


LOUVET 

a  man  might  be  dangerous  to  liberty.  But  that  you 
should  flatter  by  your  suspicion  these  small  fry  of 
politics,  who  will  never  enter  the  domain  of  history, 
these  petty  dabblers  in  commotion,  whose  civic 
crowns  are  already  entwined  with  cypress,  this,  I 
say,  quite  passes  my  comprehension." 

He  concluded  by  proposing  the  order  of  the  day,  on 
the  ground  that  the  National  Convention  ought  not 
to  occupy  itself  with  any  interests  other  than  those 
of  the  Republic. 

"  I  oppose  your  order  of  the  day,"  shrieked  Robes- 
pierre, "  if  it  contains  a  preamble  injurious  to  me  !  " 

Ignoring  Robespierre's  interruption,  the  Convention 
passed  to  the  simple  order  of  the  day.  Thereupon, 
many  of  the  Girondists,  thinking  that  such  a  motion 
would  extinguish  Robespierre's  influence  as  effectually 
as  exile  or  death,  actually  joined  their  opponents  in 
preventing  Louvet  from  replying. 

From  that  day  the  star  of  the  Girondists  began  to 
wane,  whilst  that  of  Robespierre  waxed  greater  and 
greater.  Men  of  discernment,  such  as  Dr.  John 
Moore  and  Gouverneur  Morris,  now  began  to  sus- 
pect that  the  Girondists  were  no  match  for  their 
terrible  adversaries.  Louvet  and  the  more  hot-headed 
members  of  the  party  were  untiring  in  their  efforts 
to  arouse  them  to  a  sense  of  their  peril.  But,  no ; 
they  felt  themselves  committed  to  a  policy  of  modera- 
tion ;  and,  like  all  moderates,  opposed  violence  with 
moderation.  They  had  a  horror  of  bloodshed,  which 
made  them  forget  that  the  maintenance  of  civiliza- 
tion like  good  government  are  matters  of  infinitely 
greater  importance  than  the  lives  of  a  score  of  black- 

122 


LOUVET 

hearted  scoundrels  such  as  Hebert.  Adherence  to 
principles  such  as  theirs  could  not  make  saints,  but 
it  did  make  gentlemen  of  them  ;  and,  as  the  world 
goes,  that  is  something. 

Baffled  in  his  attempt  to  crush  his  enemy  in  the 
tribune,  Louvet  issued  his  philippic  as  a  pamphlet, 
and  the  streets  of  Paris  and  every  important  town 
in  the  provinces  were  soon  ringing  with  the  cry  of  the 
news  vendors  :  "  L' Accusation  contre  Maximilien 
Robespierre  ;  par  Citoyen  Louvet  !  " 

In  spite  of  his  quarrel  with  Robespierre,  Louvet 
found  time  to  write  a  last  number  of  the  Sentinelle. 
As  it  affords  an  excellent  example  of  his  journalistic 
style,  the  reader  is  invited  to  inspect  the  facsimile 
reproduction,  a  translation  of  which  appears  below. 
The  translation  is  a  rough  one,  but  will  give  some 
idea  of  a  Revolutionary  placard  journal : 

No.  73.  21  November.     Year  i  of  the  French  Republic. 


"  REPUBLICANS, 

"It  is  to  Louis  the  Last  that  the  writing  here 
refers.  God  hath  numbered  thy  reign,  it  says,  let  us  see 
what  this  man  hath  done  ?  On  ascending  the  throne,  he 
recalled  the  parlements,  those  eternal  oppressors  of  the 
people.  He  surrounded  himself  with  rascally  ignorant  and 
fraudulent  Ministers  :  Maurepas,  grown  old  in  debauchery 
and  idleness ;  Miromesnil,  an  enrobed  comedian,  with  a 

123 


LOUVET 

twisted  mind,  who  bartered  justice  and  in  doing  so  used 
false  scales ;  Saint-Germain  and  Dumuis,  destroyers  of 
the  soldiery,  of  whom  one  was  born  to  be  a  vile  swash- 
buckling corporal  rather  than  a  minister,  and  the  other 
a  Capucin  sacristan  rather  than  a  Marshal  of  France ; 
Calonne,  who  drank  the  blood  and  sweat  of  the  people  in 
the  trough  of  the  lewd  ;  Necker,  the  pearl  of  egoists,  a 
seamy-sided  genius,  who  was  a  philosopher  when  he  should 
have  been  a  Controller-General,  and  a  Controller-General 
when  he  should  have  been  a  philosopher ;  in  short,  a 
gang  of  flatterers,  intriguers  and  sharpers,  beginning  with 
his  brothers  and  ending  with  his  meanest  valets ;  he 
agreed  to  their  swindles  by  day,  and  tolerated  their 
outrages  by  night. 

"  What  has  this  man  done  ?  Avaricious,  he  has  mul- 
tiplied the  taxes ;  ferocious  and  intemperate,  he  passed 
his  mornings  in  shedding  the  blood  of  wild  animals  and 
his  evenings  in  the  mire  of  gluttony  ;  ignorant,  he  despised 
art,  talent  and  knowledge,  and  would  have  debased 
enlightenment ;  superstitious,  he  would  have  refused 
burial  to  Voltaire  and  Rousseau ;  a  persecutor,  he 
signed  millions  of  lettres-de-cachet ;  cruel,  he  caused  the 
hair  of  these  to  be  cut,  and  overwhelmed  those  with  blows  ; 
puerile,  he  gloried  in  carrying  heavy  burdens,  and  in  trials 
of  strength  with  the  basest  wrestlers ;  in  short,  chance 
had  placed  him  in  the  highest  rank,  whilst  his  nature  and 
moral  qualities  put  him  on  a  level  with  the  most  con- 
temptible of  mankind. 

"  That,  then,  is  what  this  man  has  done.  Is  he  in- 
corrigible ?  Let  us  see.  Let  the  people  rise  !  and  the 
people  rose :  the  Revolution  came  about.  Since  then, 
what  has  this  man  done  ?  He  has  sworn  fidelity  to  his 
country,  and  has  done  all  he  could  to  betray  her ;  with 
the  gold  lavished  upon  him,  he  has  corrupted  the  con- 
stituents, the  Ministers,  the  chiefs  of  the  troops ;  he  has 
fawned  on  the  enemies  of  France ;  he  has  cringed  before 

124 


LOUVET 

the  priests  who  have  rent  her ;  welcomed  the  nobles  who 
burnt  her  ;  subsidized  the  foreigners  who  laid  her  waste  ; 
in  short,  greedy  of  assassinations,  tortures,  and  crimes  of 
every  kind,  surpassing  in  horrors  all  that  the  imagination 
of  man  could  lend  to  the  tyrants  of  old,  he  meditates  on 
the  slaughter,  in  one  day,  of  all  the  patriots,  from  the 
islands  of  America  to  the  banks  of  the  Rhine ;  from  the 
Pyrenees  to  the  shores  of  the  Baltic.  It  is  time  to  check 
his  criminal  career.  God  has  numbered  his  kingdom. 
Let  the  people  rise  again  !  They  rose,  and  the  reign  is 
brought  to  an  end. 

"  Then,  Louis  the  Last,  thou  art  placed  in  the  one 
scale,  and  the  people  in  the  other ;  who  shall  prevail, 
they  or  thou  ?  Shall  it  be  thou,  who  art  but  a  subject  ? 
Shall  it  be  they,  who  are  thine  eternal  and  unchangeable 
sovereign  ?  Shall  it  be  thou  who  didst  draw  up  the 
batteries  on  Montmartre  to  destroy  them  ?  who  spendest 
the  money  which  thou  owest  to  their  beneficence  in  fore- 
stalling the  food  which  should  nourish  them  ;  who,  on  the 
28th  of  February,  surroundedst  thyself  with  pretended 
friends,  who  carried  only  poignards  and  daggers — the  arms 
of  assassins ;  who  preferedst  the  shame  of  flight,  like  a 
malefactor,  to  the  honour  of  remaining  in  the  bosom  of 
the  nation  which  overwhelmed  thee  with  kindness ;  who 
swaredst  to  a  constitution,  to  thine  own  advantage,  only 
that  thou  mightest  use  it  to  destroy  the  country ;  who 
meditatedst,  lastly,  the  overthrow  of  the  people  as  a 
recompense  for  the  generous  pardon  they  had  accorded 
thee,  for  the  crown  they  had  left  thee,  and  for  the  for- 
giveness of  thy  prevarications  ?  Shall  it  be  they  who 
have  opposed  to  so  many  crimes  only  an  unalterable 
virtue,  an  unique  and  imperturbable  patience,  a  clemency 
which  might  well  be  called  blind  ;  who^  lastly,  on  the  day 
on  which  thou  demandedst  their  heads  of  thy  satellites, 
were  generous  enough,  even  at  the  height  of  their  terrible 
fury,  to  spare  thine  ?  Who,  then,  shall  prevail  ?  Shall 

125 


LOUVET 

it  be  thou  ?    Shall  it  be  they  ?    No  :    thou  art  weighed 
in  the  balances,  and  art  found  wanting. 

"  The  author  of  the  journal  The  Sentinel,  wishing  to  avoid 
all  outside  influences,  has  determined  to  unite  his  work 
with  The  Bulletin  of  the  Friends  of  the  Truth,  published  by 
the  free  citizens,  directors  of  the  printing  works  of  The 
Social  Circle  ;  subscribers  are  hereby  informed  that  they 
will  receive  the  latter  journal  for  the  rest  of  their  subscrip- 
tions which  have  not  yet  expired." 


126 


9.  y3.^2  1  NOVEMBRE.  I'An  ler-  cle  la  Repubilque  Francoisc. 

LASENTINELLE, 

SUR 

LOUIS   LE    DERNIER. 


RfiPUBLICAINS, 


C'EST  it  loui.  1.  dernier  .Joni  I'«BK.-. 
cntenJ  l.irt«r  lei.  D«a  a  calculi  Ion  riffle  I 
il  »  Jit,  tcyons  «  qa'a  fait  cct  liotnmet 
Eri  monunt  fur  la  triW,  il  a  rspi>cll,<  !re 
parU-matt  ,  £es  eteroelA  opjm*»?ura  da 
peuple.  tl  .'«.  ontouro  rf.  minim*.  «*W- 

viellU  dans  U  dcoauclio  c-  I'ohireU  r.  •?•• 
Mitoraetail,  listrion  ea  *y»aro  ,  dcatVc*. 
prit  bossa  vvadotl  U  justice  «t  U  vesTlia*  * 
flux  poids :  (Tun  Stint-Germain  ,  (Paa  1)o- 
mnU  ,  derrracTenrs  da  aiUitaire  j  age*  I'ua 
itolt  »5  pout  toe  an  ril  caporat  *c&t;rr , 
plaldt  qua  minialre  t  ft  l'«uitre  eaoristaln  tlof 
capuciin  t  pluto  quo  maricrul  it  Franco  I 
il'uc  Coknuto  qci  bnre;t  le  sane  et  Utu-ur 
tin  puipU  duu  I'augo  de  11  dcouciu  i  d'ua 
Kicker ,  ft  fait  da  ^riici ,  j.'nio  I  ro- 
,  pbaatopho  quin  J  U  filbh  ilrs  c»n- 


,11  falloit  tire 

fljttetiu  ,  U'intrigsiic  ,  do  £!out ,  tn  ti 
itt'nctat  par  sea  frerss  et  unlssftat  par 
tiirii'L'rs  Tilcts ,  dans  li»  four  il  tigaort  las 
rroqUtries  ,  el  da  as  Lt  unit  U  soulTroll  Ic* 

Qu'e  fait  eet  homc-.e  ?  A  tare ,  il 
les  impels  :  ftroce  M  crapuleujt  ,  i!  poa» 
matin  dons  Id  Seng  rlcs  W(.-s  fom-ca  .  < 
tiur  dans  la  range  des  festins  :  J^corani 

et  voulut  aWr.,r,l:r  Ics  lui.iiires  :  su>>« 
r.enx  ,  il  Voulut  que  Voluiro  ft  Rout  -iu 

des  millions  d«  letties-de-caclicl  :  cni^.  il 
fit  couper  les  cliereui  i  ceux-ci  ,  ocoiiU  d« 
coaf  s  ceux-la  :  puitile  ,  il  nil  sa  gloat  1 
porter  des  fcrdu  "«,  et  »  le  disputer  <le  lux 
aree  tes  plua  »ils  lutteors  :  enfin  ,  I.  l.a«rd 
le  placa  dana  le  premier  des  emplois  ,  et  la 
narore  ,  fa  ses  qoslilis  morales  ,  le  raBgea 
•dans  la  classe  des  homines  les  phu  ineeri- 
ubles. 

VoiU  done  ce  qu'a  fait  c«t  hoMiino.  Est- 
il  incorrigible  !  euaxona.  Qn.  lejpeu|>la  se 

A.  flepuis,  qu'a  fait  eet  homrn.  »  U  a  jnro 
tWAjua1  a  sa  patric  ,  et  I'a  traLie  de  twtca 
!>et  forcas  :  U  ft  cotrowpo  a"ec  f"  qu'enlut 


prodtgoott  t  1**  «n«1tami  ,  lee  mioiatrM  ; 
lot  d»f>  dea  trcupes  i  i|  a  careta<  tcul  l« 
aanemlj  de  la  Mum  t  il  a  rempe  derant  lea 
protros  qni  la  decluroient,  accucjlli  Les  itablot 
qui  1'incendialer.t ,  wuJ-iyi  Us  etran^ers  qu! 
la  d6raatnleot  ;  enfia  ,  evide  d'aisassiceu  , 
Je  suppllcee,  it  lorf.in  it  tons  les  genres  , 
eurpaisaac  emit  <-*  cjtie  I'tmgioiWD  A* 

tons  lei  elides,  1!  neVfte  d'egorger  dans  nn 
jour  tons  les  patiiotu;,  dopuis  le  load  dM 
Isles  Je  I'Amerlqua  jusqn'au  rives  du  Rhin  ( 
dcpuis  les  Pjrajie^ee  jusqu'anx  bords  de'U 
Baluqxic  :  II  est  terns  d'nrreier  M  critnineUa 
citrriire  :  Uieu  a  calcuU  son  regne  :  que  le 
pcuple  se  levc  tscore  !  11  se  lere  :  et  le  regae 

Alors,  Louis  it  dernier,  on  t"a  mis  d«ns  une 

portera  oa  ds  '-.i  on  de  tol  *  S«ra-ce  to;  qui 
n'us  que  le  tuiet  T  sera-ce  lui  qui  est  tea 
souverain  eteroel ,  imiaii.iblv.  Sera-ce  toi  qui 

le  feuii.-oyer  ,  roi  drponj.- :  1'jrgcnl  O.UC  us 
trnols  tie  aes  blsnlaju  a  at  caparcr  ,  daiu 
I'ctrajierr  i  lee  Ciarses  c^ul  derolam  le  notjr- 
rir  ,  qui  le  T^Tt-nail  ffvriit  I'entottres  do 

ceilel  il'-.  niiatsins  ,  les  poignards  et  Irs  sli- 
lets  ;  qui  prelrras  la  lion!,  de  fuir  comma 

juris  une  coult/ntion  qui  iiVtoit  BTantsgeuse- 
^u'a  toi ,  aree  la  volonta  <1*  t'«n  orrir  "e«i/- 
lement  pour  egorger  la  palrie  ;  qui  mcditaa 
enjin  de  fairs  perir  tout  ca  peuple  ,  pour  le 

ct  derouUidaieslorfaitutestSera-celuiqui 
n'a  oppose  4  tiut  de  crimes  qu'une  Vcrtu  i:i- 

kable ,  qu'uue  cl^mcitee  que  1'on  pourroit 
d.re  avengle  ;  ^ui ,  le  jour  enfin  ou  tu  de- 
mamlois  s.  t«(c  a  t,s  ..telliles  ,  fut  .am  g*. 
neieuz,  dansi'otoj-  epouran:.!,!e  de  sa  fu- 
rfur, pour  •respecter  la  tienne  1  qui  I'empor- 
tera  done!  Sen-cc  toil  seia-ce  lui  NOD  i  on 
t'e  mis  dsna  [a  balance ,  «  tn  as  eto  trouva 
trop  Kg,,. 


'AUTEUR  du  journal  la  Sentinellf ,  voulant  ffviter  toute  inaaence  dtrafiger*  s'csf 
»  rcunir  ses  travaux  au  Bulletin  des  Amis  de  la  verite,  public  par  les  citoyetJs  libres ,  direc- 
teurs  de  Timprimerie  du  Cercle  social;- les  abonnes  sonr  pr^venus  qu'ils?  Tecejront  ce  derniea 
journal  pour  lerestede  leur  abonneraent  qui  n'est  poinhencore  dchu. 


DC  rirnprimeiit  da  Orel*  SociiJ  ',  Rue  du  Tt«Wut  -  Frui^oit ,  n'.  4. 


127 


CHAPTER  XII 

Barbaroux  proposes  drastic  measures — Girondists  jealous  of  the 
domination  of  Paris — The  Mountain  charge  them  with  Federalism 
— Were  they  Federalists  ? — Hebert  employed  to  calumniate  the 
Girondists — Le  P2re  Duchesne — Origin — The  real  Hebert — A 
specimen  number  of  the  P2re  Duchesne — Hebert's  vile  attack  on 
Mme.  Roland  and  Louvet 

BARBAROUX  now  moved  the  adoption  of  four 
momentous  decrees,  aimed  directly  at  the 
Commune,  which  were  accepted  almost  unanimously 
by  the  Girondist  party. 

The  first  declared  that  the  capital  should  lose  the 
right  of  being  the  seat  of  the  Legislature  when  it 
could  no  longer  find  means  of  protecting  the  national 
representation  from  insult  and  violence. 

The  second  proposed  that  the  Federal  troops  from 
the  Departments  and  the  National  Guards  were, 
conjointly  with  the  armed  Sections  of  Paris,  to  guard 
the  Deputies  to  the  Convention  and  to  maintain 
public  order. 

The  third  suggested  that  the  Convention  should 
constitute  itself  a  court  of  justice  for  trying  con- 
spirators against  the  commonwealth. 

The  fourth  boldly  urged  the  Convention  to  abolish 
the  Municipality  of  Paris. 

As  it  will  be  seen,  this  Bill  is  animated  by  an 
extreme  jealousy  of  the  influence  of  Paris.  This 
feeling  had  shown  itself  even  on  the  first  sitting  of 
the  Convention,  and  now  became  a  marked  feature 

128 


LOUVET 

of  the  Girondist  policy.  As  early  as  September  25th, 
1792,  Lasource  had  demanded  that  "  Paris  should, 
like  every  other  Department,  exercise  only  an  eighty- 
third  share  of  influence  in  the  State."  It  was  on 
account  of  speeches  such  as  these  that  the  charge  of 
Federalism  was  so  constantly  brought  against  the 
Girondists.  Undoubtedly,  the  fundamental  differ- 
ence between  the  two  parties  was  that  whilst  the 
Mountain  wished  Paris,  so  long,  at  least,  as  the  war 
lasted,  to  retain  the  direction  of  affairs,  the  Giron- 
dists denied  to  the  capital  the  right  of  supremacy 
over  the  other  Departments.  Brissot,  as  we  have 
seen,  in  a  previous  chapter,  had  been  to  America, 
where  a  man  of  his  political  insight  could  not  have 
failed  to  observe  the  disastrous  effects  of  federal 
government. 

He  knew,  as  every  politician  knew,  that  the 
Confederation  of  the  thirteen  colonies,  after  the 
War  of  Independence,  had  proved  itself  ineffi- 
cient to  the  last  degree.  By  that  form  of  govern- 
ment, each  state  was  recognized  as  an  independent 
body,  which  voluntarily  delegated  certain  powers 
to  the  Congress,  sitting  in  the  capital.  The  inherent 
vice  of  a  Confederation  of  this  kind  is  that  each 
state  retains  so  much  power  that  the  Central  Legis- 
lature has,  to  all  practical  purposes,  none  at  all. 

Thus  if  one  of  the  states  chose  to  ignore  the  will  of 
the  other  twelve,  there  was  no  remedy  but  civil  war ; 
and  the  consciousness  of  this  hampered,  if  it  did  not 
paralyze,  the  government  at  every  turn.  With  the 
example  of  the  United  States  before  their  eyes,  the 
Girondists  were,  to  a  man,  convinced  of  the  imprac- 

129  9 


LOUVET 

ticability  of  federal  principles ;  and  one  of  their 
number,  Barbaroux,  was  the  first  to  write  un- 
equivocally condemning  that  form  of  government. 
Yet,  on  the  other  hand,  they  were  determined  to 
prevent  the  capital  from  domineering  over  the 
other  Departments,  and  many  times  urged  that  the 
seat  of  government  should  be  removed  to  one  of  the 
provincial  towns,  where  its  deliberations  could  be 
conducted  free  from  the  violence  of  the  Parisian  mob. 
That  is  a  very  different  thing  from  plotting  against 
the  unity  of  the  state.  But  the  distinction  was  too 
subtle  for  the  mental  grasp  of  the  semi-educated 
bourgeoisie,  who  by  a  confusion  of  ideas,  which  was 
carefully  fostered  by  the  Mountain,  were  persuaded 
that  the  Girondists  sought  to  split  up  the  country 
into  a  number  of  small  independent  republics. 

As  a  matter  of  fact,  the  only  persons  who  had 
publicly  advocated  federal  principles  were  Billaud- 
Varenne,  Collot  d'Herbois,  Lavicomterie,  and  the 
latest  of  all  the  recruits  of  the  Mountain,  Barere, 
who,  in  his  anxiety  to  compound  for  the  equivocal 
origin  of  his  newly-found  convictions,  turned  with 
peculiar  ferocity  to  rend  his  former  associates  of  the 
Gironde. 

Having,  by  an  ingenious  and  unscrupulous 
stratagem,  undermined  the  influence  of  their 
opponents  over  the  middle  classes,  the  Mountain 
now  sought  by  fresh  calumnies  to  destroy  their  hold 
on  the  masses.  They  knew  that  with  the  ignorant 
multitude,  the  distortion  of  their  adversaries'  prin- 
ciples would  avail  them  nothing.  The  general 
scarcity  of  food  provided  them  with  a  weapon  ready 

130 


LOUVET 

to  hand.  It  is  useless  arguing  with  a  hungry  man, 
but  it  is  easy  to  arouse  his  suspicions,  and  to  delude 
him  as  to  the  cause  of  his  misery.  Recognizing  this 
truth,  the  violent  faction  adroitly  turned  the  popular 
suspicions  against  the  rival  party. 

For  this  purpose  they  made  use  of  the  diabolical 
talents  of  Hebert,  the  infamous  author  of  the  infamous 
journal,  Le  Pere  Duchesne.  Beginning  life  as  a 
lackey,  Hebert  soon  left  that  employment  to  become 
chief  clerk  in  the  ticket  office  of  a  small  Parisian 
theatre,  from  which  position  he  was  dismissed  for 
embezzlement.  On  the  night  of  August  gth  to  loth 
he  emerged  from  obscurity,  and  managed  to  get  him- 
self installed,  apparently  on  his  own  recommendation, 
as  a  member  of  the  insurrectionary  Commune.  His 
zeal  in  the  prison  massacres  procured  for  him  the 
office  of  Sub-Procureur  Syndic  of  the  Municipality 
of  Paris. 

If  Marat  preached  massacre  as  a  painful  duty, 
Hebert  extolled  murder  as  an  amusing  pastime.  He 
was  a  past  master  in  the  art  of  arousing  the  basest 
instincts  in  the  vilest  of  mankind.  Adopting  the 
lurid  language  of  the  gutter,  freely  interlarded  with 
unprintable  expletives  and  filthy  analogies,  his  pages 
are,  nevertheless,  not  altogether  devoid  of  a  certain 
kind  of  humour — if,  indeed,  that  can  be  called  humour 
which  results  in  the  violent  death  of  the  person  against 
whom  it  is  directed. 

Le  Pere  Duchesne,  which  had  an  enormous  circula- 
tion, is  a  small  quarto  journal,  clumsily  printed  on 
rough  grey  paper.  It  was  published  irregularly,  and 
each  issue  bears  a  number,  but  no  date,  and  abounds 

131  9* 


LOUVET 

in  typographical  and  orthographical  mistakes,  caused 
very  largely,  no  doubt,  by  the  demand  outstripping 
the  means  of  supply.  Each  number  bears  as  a 
device  the  figure  of  a  squalid  peasant,  in  a  tattered 
vest  and  trousers,  a  round  hat,  and  huge  boots,  with 
a  pipe  stuck  in  the  corner  of  his  mouth.  This  was 
the  counterfeit  presentment  of  Le  Pere  Duchesne — 
a  character  obviously  modelled  on  the  Compere 
Matthieu,  a  sagacious  but  disreputable  peasant  in 
the  Abbe  Du  Laurens'  famous  novel  of  that  name, 
with  whom  all  were  familiar.  To  the  ignorant,  it 
was  a  life-like  portrait  of  the  author  ;  but  those  who 
had  heard  Hebert  speak  from  the  tribune  of  the 
Jacobin  Club  knew  better.  There  he  was  a  fair-haired 
young  man,  with  rather  fine  blue  eyes,  and  the 
mildest-looking  face  in  the  world,  remarkable  for  the 
elegance  of  his  dress,  the  distinction  of  his  manners, 
and  the  perfection  of  his  diction.  He  was  an  ex- 
cellent business  man,  and  sold  his  services  to  such 
good  purpose  that  when,  scarcely  two  years  later, 
his  turn  came  to  mount  the  scaffold,  he  left,  accord- 
ing to  Mallet  du  Pan,  a  fortune  of  fifty  thousand 
pounds.  Yet,  what  shall  it  profit  a  man  if  he  gain 
the  whole  world  and  lose  his  own  life  ! 

In  this  instance  Hebert  applied  the  argumentum 
ad  hominem  in  these  terms  : 

"  Says  I  to  myself,  The  devil,  but  that  Roland 
chap  is  going  it !  He's  making  up  in  fine  style  for 
the  time  when  he  went  a-fasting.  I  must  tell  you 
about  a  little  adventure,  which  will  form  a  pretty 
chapter  in  the  history  of  the  virtuous  Roland  when 
it  comes  to  be  written. 

132 


ROLAND. 


[To  face  page  132. 


LOUVET 

"  The  other  day  a  half-dozen  good  sans-culottes, 
Gremard,  administrator  of  the  Department,  Moulinet 
Duplex,  member  of  the  Commune,  Poussin  and 
Auger,  Commissaries  of  the  Section  of  the  Repub- 
lique,  marched  in  deputation  to  the  house  of  Old 
Shaven-Pate.  Damme,  if  it  wasn't  grub-time  ! 

"  '  Vat  you  vant  ?  '  growled  the  Swiss,  stopping 
them  at  the  door. 

"  '  We  want  to  speak  to  the  virtuous  Roland.' 

" '  Der  virtuous  is  not  here,'  answered  the  fat, 
clean-shaved  porter,  sticking  out  his  paw,  for  all 
the  world  like  an  old-time  Norman  attorney. 

"  '  We  ain't  going  to  tip  you,'  said  friend  Gremard  ; 
'  we've  got  a  free  pass,  like  the  Capucines.  We  were 
sent  by  the  sans-culottes,  and  don't  you  forget 
it!' 

"  At  this,  the  Swiss  sneaked  back  into  his  box  like 
a  snail  into  his  shell  after  he  has  shown  his  horns. 
We  sans-culottes  filed  into  the  corridor,  and  soon 
came  to  the  ante-chamber  of  the  virtuous  Roland. 
You  could  hardly  see  anything  for  flunkeys.  Twenty 
cooks,  loaded  with  dainty  fricassees,  shouted  at  the 
top  of  their  voices.  '  Look  out,  there  !  here  come  the 
entrees  of  the  virtuous  Roland ! '  Others  yelled, 
one  after  another  :  '  This  is  the  most  delicious  dish 
of  the  virtuous  Roland  ! '  '  This  is  the  second  course 
of  the  virtuous  Roland  ! '  '  Make  way  for  the  roast 
meats  of  the  virtuous  Roland  ! ' 

"  '  What  do  you  want  ?  '  demanded  the  virtuous 
Roland's  valet,  staring  at  the  deputation. 

"  '  We  want  to  speak  to  the  virtuous  Roland.' 

"  '  He  can't  be  seen  just  now.' 
133 


LOUVET 

"  '  Tell  him  it's  his  duty  to  welcome  the  magis- 
trates of  the  people  at  all  times.' 

"  The  valet  trotted  off  to  give  the  virtuous  Roland 
our  message,  and  soon  after  Old  Shaven-Pate  came 
out  to  us,  with  a  napkin  on  his  arm,  smacking  his 
chops  and  looking  as  sour  as  the  devil. 

"  '  The  Republic  must  certainly  be  in  danger  to 
make  me  leave  my  dinner  like  this,'  he  mumbled. 

"  Roland  led  my  bucks  through  the  dining-room, 
where  there  were  thirty  odd  spongers  tucking  in  for 
all  they  were  worth.  At  the  top  of  the  table,  to 
the  right  of  the  virtuous  Roland,  sat  Bussatier ;  to 
the  left,  the  accuser  of  Robespierre,  that  dirty  little 
tyke  Louvet,  who,  with  his  papier-mache"  face  and 
hollow  eyes,  threw  covetous  glances  on  the  wife  of 
the  virtuous  Roland." 

Hebert  proceeds  to  relate  how  one  of  the  mem- 
bers of  the  deputation,  whilst  passing  through  the 
study  in  the  dark,  upset  the  dessert  of  the  virtuous 
Roland.  On  being  told  of  the  accident,  "  the  wife  of 
the  virtuous  Roland,  in  her  rage,  tore  off  her  wig." 

Meanwhile,  the  Commissioners  demanded  to 
know  why  the  Minister  had  caused  the  seals  to  be 
removed  from  the  property  of  the  emigrant  noble- 
man Saint -Priest.  They  afterwards  went  to  their 
Section  to  give  an  account  of  their  exploit,  and, 
above  all,  of  the  copious  dinner  of  the  virtuous  Roland. 

It  would  seem  that  Hebert,  heading  a  deputation 
to  the  Minister,  had  been  treated  with  the  ignominy 
he  deserved,  and  that  he  avenged  himself,  and  at 
the  same  time  served  the  interests  of  the  Mountain, 
by  this  account  of  one  of  those  dinners,  Spartan  in 

134 


LOUVET 

their  simplicity,  which  Madame  Roland  used  to  give, 
twice  a  week,  to  a  small  number  of  her  husband's 
colleagues  in  the  Convention.  From  these  informal 
gatherings  Louvet  was  seldom  absent,  though  on 
these  occasions  Lodoi'ska  never  accompanied  him, 
for  Madame  Roland  was  careful,  during  her  husband's 
Ministry,  never  to  invite  women  to  her  salon  when  the 
political  situation  was  to  be  discussed.  Her  faith 
in  the  discretion  of  her  sex  had  evidently  its  limits. 
Nor  would  her  sense  of  what  was  becoming  in  a 
woman  ever  permit  her  to  join  in  these  conversations, 
although,  as  she  tells  us  in  her  Memoirs,  she  was  often 
sorely  tempted  to  do  so. 

Having  held  up  the  Rolands  and  their  friends  to 
ridicule,  Hebert  now  attempted  to  make  them  odious 
in  the  eyes  of  the  rabble  by  the  vilest  imputations 
against  the  morality  of  the  guests,  and  against  the 
reputation  of  the  noble  woman  who  presided  over 
the  circle. 

In  these  attacks  Louvet  comes  in  for  a  large  share 
of  abuse  on  account  of  the  stinging  satires  appearing 
in  the  Sentinelle,  in  which  Hebert  was  persistently 
held  up  to  the  infamy  and  contempt  of  mankind. 


135 


CHAPTER  XIII 

Debate  on  the  King's  trial — Views  of  the  Girondists — Policy  of 
the  Mountain — Danton's  brutal  frankness — Louis  at  the  bar 
of  the  Convention — Marat's  admission — The  King's  ironical 
observation  to  Coulombeau — Salle's  motion — Gensonne's  sarcasm 
— The  geese  of  the  Capitol — Louvet  rebukes  Dan  ton — Trial  of 
the  King — Scene  in  the  Convention — The  voting — Vergniaud 
declares  the  result — The  death  sentence — A  king's  tragedy — 
Disunion  in  the  Girondist  ranks,  and  its  causes — Strength  of 
the  Mountain. 

THE  Mountain's  next  bid  for  power  was  in  the 
matter  of  the  King's  trial.  Although  the  majority 
of  the  Girondists  sincerely  believed  that  Louis  had 
been  guilty  of  treachery  to  the  nation,  they  doubted 
the  competence  of  the  Convention  to  sit  in  judg- 
ment on  the  dethroned  monarch.  Yet  again  they 
experienced  that,  in  revolutionary  times,  a  tender 
conscience  is  a  fatal  encumbrance.  In  their  anxiety 
to  preserve  the  forms  of  the  law,  they  became  en- 
tangled in  a  chain  of  sophistry,  which  exposed  them  to 
a  charge  of  attempting  to  shield  the  King.  The 
Mountain,  on  the  other  hand,  went  straight  to  the 
mark. 

"  The  Assembly,"  said  Robespierre,  with  singular 
boldness,  "  has  involuntarily  been  led  far  away  from 
the  question  at  issue.  Here  we  have  nothing  to 
do  with  the  trial :  Louis  is  not  an  accused  man  ;  you 
are,  and  can  be,  only  statesmen  and  representatives 
of  the  people.  You  have  no  sentence  to  pronounce 

136 


LOUVET 

for  or  against  a  man ;  you  are  called  upon  to  adopt 
a  measure  of  public  safety.  Louis  was  King ;  a 
republic  is  now  established.  The  question  before 
you  is,  therefore,  decided  by  these  simple  words. 
Louis  cannot  be  tried,  for  he  is  already  tried  and  con- 
demned. The  trials  of  nations  are  not  like  those  of 
judicial  courts — their  sentences  are  hurled  like  thunder- 
bolts ;  they  do  not  condemn  kings  ;  they  hurl  them 
back  into  space.  This  kind  of  justice  is  as  good  as 
that  of  ordinary  tribunals." 

"  Our  business,"  said  Danton,  with  brutal  frank- 
ness, "  is  not  to  try  the  King,  but  to  kill  him." 

Thus  the  main  question  involved  was  whether 
the  revolutionary  regime  should  be  indefinitely  pro- 
longed, or  whether  the  lead  of  the  Girondists  should 
be  followed  by  reverting  to  a  strictly  legal  govern- 
ment. 

On  Tuesday,  December  nth,  Louis  appeared  at  the 
bar  of  the  Convention,  then  under  the  presidency  of 
Barere.  His  examination  lasted  five  hours.  The 
quiet  dignity  of  his  bearing  and  the  coolness  with 
which  he  categorically  denied  the  charges  made 
against  him,  deeply  impressed  the  whole  Assembly. 

"  We  owe  it  to  the  truth  to  admit,"  says  Marat, 
"  that  in  this  trying  and  humiliating  position,  he 
bore  himself  with  dignity.  He,  who  had  never  been 
addressed  by  any  name  but  that  of  Majesty,  heard 
himself  called  '  Louis  Capet '  a  hundred  times  with- 
out betraying  the  least  sign  of  irritation ;  and  when 
he  was  kept  standing,  he,  in  whose  presence  no  man 
had  been  allowed  to  sit,  never  once  showed  the  least 
impatience.  Had  he  been  innocent,  how  noble  and 

137 


LOUVET 

sympathetic  he  would  have  appeared  to  me  in  his 
humiliation  !  If  only  this  apathetic  calm  had  been  due 
to  the  resignation  of  a  wise  man  to  the  hard  laws  of 
necessity."* 

Louis  appeared  before  the  Convention  for  the  last 
time  on  Wednesday,  December  26th.  As  before,  he 
was  driven  to  the  Assembly  in  the  mayoral  carriage, 
accompanied  by  Chambon,  the  Mayor,  Chaumette, 
the  Procureur,  and  Coulombeau,  Secretary  of  the 
Commune,  and  under  the  escort  of  a  body  of  cavalry 
from  the  Ecole  Militaire.  The  King  was  perfectly 
calm,  and  during  the  journey  took  part  in  a  dis- 
cussion of  the  merits  of  Seneca,  Livy,  and  Tacitus. 
He  paused  in  the  entrance  hall  to  converse  with  his 
counsel  Malesherbes,  Tronchet,  and  Deseze.  Treil- 
hard,  a  member  of  the  Mountain,  and  future  Director, 
on  his  way  to  the  Assembly,  overhearing  them  address 
the  King  as  "  Sire,"  turned  upon  them  angrily,  with 
the  words,  "  How  dare  you  utter  names  which  the 
Convention  has  proscribed  ?  " 

"  Contempt  for  you,  and  contempt  for  life," 
promptly  answered  Malesherbes. 

The  King  was  led  before  the  Assembly,  when 
Deseze  read  his  speech  for  the  defence,  which  lasted 
three  hours.  On  his  way  to  the  carriage,  cries  of 
"  Death  to  Louis !  "  arose  on  all  sides. 

During  the  ride  back  to  the  Temple,  he  remarked 
with  a  smile  to  Coulombeau,  who  kept  his  hat  on ; 

"  The  last  time  you  came  you  had  forgotten  your 
hat ;  you  have  been  more  careful  to-day." 

*  Marat  in  the  Journal  de  la  Rtpublique  Franfaise  of   December 

13.  1792^ 
138 


LOUVET 

Salle,  one  of  the  oldest  of  Louvet's  political  friends, 
now  brought  forward  his  famous  motion  that  the 
judgment  on  the  King  should  be  referred  to  the  nation 
as  a  whole.  This  proposal  was  strongly  supported 
by  Lanjuinais  and  other  adherents  of  the  Gironde 
in  the  tribune  ;  whilst  Louvet,  who  had  also  intended 
to  speak  in  its  favour,  was  prevented  from  doing  so 
by  the  sudden  closure  of  the  discussion.  He  again 
had  recourse  to  his  printing-press,  and  his  discourse 
was  widely  circulated  among  the  people. 

During  the  debates,  Gensonne  distinguished  himself 
by  an  attack  on  Robespierre,  Marat,  and  Anacharsis 
Clootz : 

"  It  is  but  too  true,"  said  he,  "  even  Liberty  has  her 
hypocrisy  and  her  cult,  her  humbugs  and  her  bigots. 
Just  as  there  are  quacks  in  the  art  of  healing,  so  there 
are  charlatans  in  the  science  of  politics.  They  may  be 
recognized  by  their  hatred  of  philosophy  and  learning, 
and  by  their  adroitness  in  flattering  the  prejudices  and 
passions  of  those  whom  they  wish  to  deceive.  They 
boast  with  effrontery  ;  they  speak  unceasingly  of  their 
zeal,  their  disinterestedness,  and  their  other  rare 
qualities ;  they  lie  impudently ;  and  they  draw 
attention  to  themselves  by  seductive  titles  and 
extraordinary  formulas.  One  proclaims  himself  the 
'  Friend  of  the  People,'*  another,  the  '  incorruptible 
defender  of  their  rights,' t  whilst  another  invents 
the  '  balm  of  the  universal  republic.' J  But  having 
obtained  some  success,  reflection  soon  dissipates  their 
prestige ;  before  they  reach  their  goal,  they  betray 

*  Marat.  f  Robespierrei 

I  Anacharsis  Clootzi 

139 


LOUVET 

themselves ;  and  the  people,  ashamed  of  having  been 
duped,  drive  out  these  mountebanks  ;  or  if  they  allow 
them  still  to  tread  their  boards,  listen  to  them  only 
to  laugh  at  their  follies,  and  respond  to  their  advances 
only  by  their  contempt." 

He  divided  the  Jacobins  into  two  classes,  the  blind 
and  the  overbearing.  Let  the  first  reform  and  come 
back  to  the  true  cause  of  the  people.  As  for  the 
others,  "  if  they  helped  to  save  the  body  politic,  they 
did  so  by  instinct,  like  the  geese  of  the  Capitol.  But 
I  have  yet  to  learn  that  the  Roman  people,  by  way 
of  showing  their  gratitude  to  this  sort  of  liberators, 
created  them  dictators  and  consuls,  or  that  they 
made  them  the  supreme  arbiters  of  their  destiny." 

But  the  Girondists  were  soon  to  pay  dearly  for  these 
pleasantries.  Years  afterwards,  the  last  survivors  of 
the  Mountain  still  remembered  with  bitterness  the 
immortal  sting  of  Gensonne's  sarcasm. 

On  December  i6th,  Buzot  moved  that  all  members 
of  the  Bourbon  family,  excepting  those  imprisoned 
in  the  Temple,  should  be  immediately  banished.  This 
was  furiously  opposed  by  Bourdon  and  Marat,  as 
it  was  chiefly  aimed  at  Philippe  Egalite,  a  member 
of  the  Mountain.  In  support  of  the  proposal,  Louvet 
delivered  one  of  his  most  brilliant  orations.  Walking 
solemnly  to  the  tribune,  carrying  a  volume  of  Livy 
in  his  hand,  he  began  in  these  words  : 

"  Representatives  of  the  people,  it  is  not  I  who  am 
about  to  support  Buzot's  proposal,  it  is  the  immortal 
founder  of  a  famous  republic,  it  is  the  father  of  Roman 
liberty,  Brutus."  At  this  point  murmurs  arose  in  the 
house.  "  Yes,  Brutus,"  he  continued.  "  I  rise  on  a 

140 


LOUVET 

point  of  order,"  cried  Breard.  The  President  having 
decided  in  Louvet's  favour,  "  Yes,  Brutus,"  he  re- 
peated, "  and  although  his  discourse  was  pronounced 
nearly  two  thousand  years  ago,  it  is  so  apposite  to 
our  actual  situation  that  we  might  believe  it  had  been 
composed  this  day."  He  then  cited  at  length  the 
objurgations  which  Livy  makes  Brutus  address  to 
Tarquinius  Collatinus,  urging  him  to  submit  to 
voluntary  banishment  for  the  good  of  the  Republic. 
"  Really,"  cried  Duhem  ;  "  Louvet  ought  not  to  crush 
us  under  the  despotism  of  his  learning !  "  "  There 
are  two  hundred  petitioners  at  the  bar !  "  shouted 
Goupilleau.  But  the  President  still  ruled  that  Louvet 
was  in  order,  and  the  orator  proceeded  imperturbably 
with  his  parallel  between  Collatinus  and  Philippe 
Egalite. 

After  a  long  debate,  it  was  decided  on  January  14, 
that  the  Deputies  should  vote  aloud,  in  turn,  from  the 
tribune,  upon  the  three  questions  :  Is  Louis  guilty 
of  conspiracy  against  the  nation  ?  Shall  the  judgment 
be  referred  to  the  people  for  ratification  ? — and, 
What  punishment  shall  be  inflicted  ? 

On  January  I5th,  under  the  presidency  of  Vergniaud, 
who  had  been  elected  on  the  loth  of  the  month,  the 
first  question  was  put  to  the  vote.  The  result  was 
an  almost  unanimous  verdict  of  guilty.  The  voting 
on  the  second  question  lasted  throughout  the  whole 
of  the  next  day.  Out  of  the  seven  hundred  and 
seventeen  members  present,  two  hundred  and  eighty- 
three  voted  for  the  appeal  to  the  people,  and  four 
hundred  and  twenty-four  declared  against  it,  whilst 
ten  refused  to  vote.  Louvet  voted  with  the  minority, 

141 


LOUVET 

and  during  the  debate  crossed  swords  with  Danton. 
"  Thou  art  not  yet  king,  Danton !  "  he  cried,  when 
that  Deputy  had  spoken  without  the  President's 
leave.  Amongst  those  who  voted  against  the  measure 
were  Condorcet,  Isnard,  and  Boyer-Fonfrede,  with 
many  other  leading  Girondists. 

The  sitting  of  January  lyth  was  devoted  to  the 
third  question  :  What  punishment  shall  be  inflicted  ? 
— although  the  actual  voting  did  not  begin  until 
eight  o'clock  in  the  evening,  and  lasted  throughout 
the  night  and  most  of  the  next  day.  It  was  difficult 
to  believe  that  these  men  were  assembled  to  decide 
upon  a  question  which  involved  not  only  the  life 
of  a  King,  but  the  welfare  of  a  great  nation — one  of 
the  gravest  questions,  in  fact,  which  had  ever  been 
submitted  to  the  judgment  of  a  legislative  body. 
The  public  galleries  were  crowded  with  noisy  men  and 
women,  who  constantly  interrupted  the  proceedings 
by  their  comments  or  their  threats.  In  the  middle  of 
the  hall,  a  section  was  divided  off  into  stalls,  reserved 
for  the  wives  and  mistresses  of  the  members.  These 
ladies  were  shown  to  their  seats  by  the  official  ushers, 
and  exchanged  smiles  and  greetings  with  the  Deputies 
as  they  passed  to  their  places. 

Fashion,  under  the  Convention,  favoured  the  low- 
cut  dress.  The  women  in  this  part  of  the  hall 
followed  the  fashion  very  far.  Instead  of  a  fan, 
each  of  these  ladies  held  a  card,  on  which  she 
marked  off  with  a  pin  the  votes  as  they  were  given 
aloud  from  the  tribune.  From  time  to  time,  the 
Deputies  left  their  seats  to  chat  with  their  fair 
friends,  or  to  order  refreshments  for  them ;  and 

142 


LOUVET 

throughout  the  night,  waiters  were  busy  running  to 
and  fro  with  all  kinds  of  liqueurs,  fruits,  and  con- 
fectionery. 

The  voting  proceeded  without  hurry,  and  each 
member  as  he  ascended  the  tribune  was  careful  to 
give  the  reasons  for  his  decision.  When  he  had 
recorded  his  vote,  he  returned  to  his  seat  amid  the 
applause  or  the  abuse  of  the  galleries.  In  the  re- 
freshment room  and  in  the  passages,  agents  of  the 
Jacobin  and  Cordelier  Clubs  waylaid  undecided 
members,  canvassing  for  their  votes/  It  is  recorded 
that  the  threats  of  these  gentlemen  sometimes  proved 
more  convincing  than  their  logic,  and  that  many  a 
wavering  Deputy  found  conviction  on  his  passage 
through  the  lobbies  of  the  house. 

At  length  Vergniaud  rose  to  announce  the  result 
of  the  ballot.  There  were  seven  hundred  and  twenty- 
one  votes  taken,  of  which  three  hundred  and  sixty-one 
were  given  for  death.  The  minority  of  three  hundred 
and  thirty-four  Deputies  voted  for  the  King's  deten- 
tion until  the  establishment  of  a  general  peace,  when 
he  should  be  banished  for  life.  Thus  Louis'  death 
was  decided  by  a  majority  of  twenty-six  votes. 

Louvet,  after  supporting  Salle's  motion,  pronounced 
for  death,  but  on  condition  that  the  sentence  should 
be  carried  out  only  when  the  constitution  should  be 
completed  and  ratified  by  the  people  ;  and  he  voted 
for  the  respite,  after  taking  a  leading  part  in  the 
discussion  on  that  subject.  Vergniaud,  Guadet, 
Gensonne",  Brissot,  Buzot,  Barbaroux,  and  Petion 
were  among  those  who  voted  for  death  uncondition- 
ally ;  whilst  other  members  of  their  party,  including 

143 


LOUVET 

Salle,  Lanjuinais,  Defermon,  Rabaut  Saint-Etienne, 
the  Protestant  pastor,  and  Sillery,  the  husband  of 
Madame  de  Genlis,  voted  with  the  minority  for  deten- 
tion and  banishment.  Having  announced  the  result 
of  the  scrutiny,  the  President's  voice  trembled  with 
emotion,  as  he  said,  "  In  the  name  of  the  Convention 
I  declare  the  punishment  to  which  it  condemns  Louis 
Capet  to  be  death." 

The  King's  counsel  now  appeared  at  the  bar  to  make 
a  last  appeal  for  the  mercy  of  the  Assembly  in  view 
of  the  small  majority  by  which  the  sentence  had  been 
obtained.  "  Most  laws  are  made  by  small  majorities," 
said  a  member  of  the  Mountain.  "  Laws  may  be 
revoked,"  replied  one  of  Louis'  advocates  ;  "  but  you 
cannot  give  back  a  man's  life  when  once  you  have 
taken  it." 

But  his  doom  was  irrevocably  pronounced,  and  on 
January  2ist,  Louis  mounted  the  scaffold.  There 
is  considerable  truth  in  the  following  lines  on  Louis 
by  Comte  Alexandre  de  Tilly : 

"  II  ne  sut  que  mourir,  aimer  et  pardonner 
S'il  avait  su  punir,  il  auroit  su  regner." 

This  is  one  of  the  world's  most  moving  tragedies. 
A  just  man,  who,  according  to  his  lights,  sincerely 
endeavoured  to  do  his  duty  by  the  people  he  was 
called  upon  to  govern  ;  of  a  kind-hearted,  tolerant, 
and  pliable  disposition,  it  was  his  misfortune  to  be 
surrounded  by  evil  counsellors,  who,  on  the  first 
approach  of  danger,  left  him  to  face  the  storm  alone. 
But  it  is  more  important  to  the  welfare  of  a  nation 
that  its  governors  should  be  strong  than  that  they 
should  be  virtuous  ;  and  however  much  we  sympathize 

144 


LOUVET 

with  the  man,  it  is  difficult  to  see  how  the  Conven- 
tion could  safely  have  acted  otherwise  than  by  con- 
demning him  to  death,  for  a  dethroned  monarch  must 
ever  be  a  standing  menace  to  a  newly-established 
republic.  The  story  of  Louis  fills  the  reader  with 
pity  and  terror,  and  oppresses  him  with  that  sense 
of  inevitability  which  is  the  essence  of  tragedy. 

"  As  flies  to  wanton  boys,  are  we  to  the  gods  ; 
They  kill  us  for  their  sport." 

The  Girondists  have  frequently  been  reproached, 
even  by  their  warmest  advocates,  for  the  want  of 
party  discipline  revealed  in  their  ranks,  at  this  and 
other  crises  of  the  Revolution.  Their  disunion  has 
been  contrasted  with  the  solid  front  presented  by 
their  opponents,  and  they  have  on  this  account  been 
sometimes  hastily  condemned  as  incompetent  states- 
men. It  were  idle  to  deny  that  the  Mountain  was  a 
more  closely  organized  political  combination  than 
the  Gironde,  though  it  is  curious  to  note,  in  this 
connection,  that  at  the  King's  trial  some  of  the 
members  of  the  former  party  voted  against  the  death 
sentence.  This,  however,  is  by  the  way.  What  I 
am  here  concerned  with  is  to  seek  a  reason  for  this 
contrast. 

In  the  first  place,  the  Mountain  were  out  of  office ; 
and  they  were  united  in  a  steady  determination  to 
oust  their  rivals.  There  are  few  more  powerful  bonds 
of  union  than  this.  Whilst  in  opposition,  they  tacitly 
agreed  to  forget  all  minor  differences  of  opinion, 
for  on  that  condition  alone  could  they  hope  to  attain 
the  one  supreme  end  they  had  in  view.  When,  a  few 

145  10 


LOUVET 

months  later,  they  had  succeeded  in  crushing  their 
opponents,  their  boasted  unity  at  once  gave  place  to 
the  most  violent  internal  dissension.  If  the  Giron- 
dists had  their  Brissotins  and  their  Buzotins,  the 
Mountain  had  their  Dantonists,  Robespierrists, 
Maratists,  and  Hebertists,  each  sect  following  a  definite 
policy  of  its  own. 

Moreover,  the  Girondist  party  was  composed  almost 
entirely  of  men  remarkable  for  their  intellectual 
attainments.  It  would  be  difficult  to  name  a  political 
party  of  any  nation  or  of  any  time  which  contained 
such  a  large  number  of  men  of  genius.  The  organiza- 
tion of  such  a  party  was,  necessarily,  of  the  loosest 
possible  description.  Each  member  brought  an 
independent  judgment  to  bear  upon  every  problem 
as  it  arose  in  the  Convention,  and  he  was  loath  to 
modify  his  opinion  in  deference  to  the  will  of  others. 
Intellectual  freedom  is  the  dearest  possession  of  the 
philosopher ;  consequently,  he  rarely  makes  a  good 
party  man.  Hence  the  extraordinarily  divergent 
opinions  which  any  important  debate  revealed  in  the 
Girondist  ranks,  and  their  fatal  inclination  to 
temporize.  The  faculty  of  seeing  every  side  of  a 
question  has  it  drawbacks.  It  makes  it  more  difficult 
for  a  man  to  form  an  opinion.  It  often,  in  fact, 
renders  him  incapable  of  coming  to  any  decision  at 
all.  Such  a  mind  instinctively  arrives  at  an  equili- 
brium, in  which  the  positive  is  exactly  balanced  by 
the  negative.  Thus,  during  the  King's  trial,  several 
Deputies  refused  to  vote. 

Ask  an  ignorant  man  the  same  question,  and, 
provided  it  be  within  his  comprehension,  he  will 

146 


answer  with  no  hesitation  whatever.  This  is  because 
he  sees  facts  only  in  their  broadest  features.  His 
mind  draws  a  sharp  distinction  between  the  light  and 
the  shade.  Incapable  of  analyzing  his  impressions, 
he  sees  only  two  roads  before  him,  running  in  opposite 
directions.  He  sometimes  chooses  the  fight  one.  For 
this  reason,  sophistry  has  no  hold  on  a  simple  mind. 
As  he  judges  facts,  so  he  divides  men  into  two  classes, 
the  good  and  the  bad.  With  a  superb  indifference 
to  petty  distinctions,  he  places  the  sheep  on  his  right 
hand,  the  goats  on  his  left.  In  his  philosophy,  there 
are  no  degrees  of  goatishness. 

The  Mountain,  like  the  ignorant  man,  were  content 
to  see  only  one  side  of  the  question.  This  was  the 
more  easy  in  that  their  party  was  very  largely  com- 
posed of  ignorant  men,  who  consequently  subjected 
themselves  to  the  will  of  a  masterful  minority  with 
less  reluctance  than  would  have  been  possible  to  the 
highly  cultured  men  who  formed  the  majority  of  the 
rival  party.  These  circumstances  gave  a  unity  to  the 
counsels  of  the  Mountain  which  was  wholly  lacking 
in  those  of  the  Girondists. 


147 


CHAPTER  XIV 

A  wax  of  extermination — Mot  of  Sieyes — The  Girondists  fast  lose 
ground — Their  attempts  to  recover  their  popularity — Buzot's 
opinion  of  the  Sovereign  People — Disgraceful  scenes  in  the 
Convention — Dumouriez  complains  of  the  Jacobin  agents  in 
Belgium — He  arrests  two  Government  commissioners — His 
disastrous  reverses — How  Paris  received  the  news — Peculiarities 
of  the  Gallic  temperament — Caesar's  shrewd  observations — 
Riots  in  Paris — Mob  destroy  Girondist  printing-presses — The 
Revolutionary  Tribunal — Conspiracy  of  March  loth  foiled  by 
Lodoiska — Her  heroism — Louvet  warns  his  colleagues — Petion's 
phlegm. 

AFTER  the  momentary  diversion  created  by  the 
King's  trial  and  execution,  the  rival  parties  braced 
themselves  for  a  war  of  extermination.  The  Con- 
vention became  an  arena  in  which  their  feud  was 
fought  out  to  its  bloody  end.  On  the  one  side  was 
a  group  of  idealists,  day  by  day  overwhelming  their 
opponents  by  the  force  of  their  logic,  their  irony, 
and  their  contempt.  Bold  in  council,  timid  in  action, 
the  Girondists  swept  the  House  along  with  them  in 
the  impetuous  flood  of  their  eloquence ;  but  when 
the  time  came  to  act  some  hesitated,  others  ab- 
sented themselves  or  refused  to  vote,  whilst  all 
wasted  their  tune  in  useless  talk  and  argument.  In 
times  of  revolution  it  is  dangerous  to  drag  your 
adversary  to  the  brink  of  the  precipice  without 
having  the  power  to  hurl  him  over  the  side. 

"  First  make  sure  that  you  have  the  cannon  on 
your  side,"  advised  Sieyes,  the  Wise  Youth  of  the 
Revolution. 

148 


LOUVET 

Arrayed  on  the  other  side  was  a  resolute  minority, 
warned  by  the  threats  of  their  opponents,  exasperated 
by  their  defeats  in  the  Convention,  and,  above  all, 
knowing  exactly  what  they  wanted  and  determined 
at  all  costs  to  get  it.  The  Mountain,  moreover,  had 
powerful  auxiliaries  in  the  Commune  and  the  tri- 
bunes, which  were  perpetually  crowded  with  turbulent 
bands  from  the  Jacobin  and  Cordelier  Clubs. 

Again,  the  disasters  to  the  army  and  the  scarcity 
of  food  inevitably  tended  to  bring  the  people  into 
opposition  to  the  Government,  and  the  streets  of  Paris 
were  constantly  the  scene  of  riots  and  seditions  of 
the  most  threatening  character.  In  their  distress 
at  seeing  their  popularity  slipping  from  them,  the 
Girondists  sought  to  justify  themselves.  Their  ex- 
planations were  as  futile  as  the  tears  and  reproaches 
of  a  woman  who  ceases  to  please.  So  long,  however, 
as  they  could  make  themselves  heard,  they  deemed 
that  all  was  not  lost.  But  the  most  impassioned 
eloquence  is  powerless  to  revive  a  dead  enthusiasm. 

The  pictures  which  the  Girondists  drew  of  the 
Sovereign  People  at  this  period  are  not  flattering. 
"  The  insolence  of  these  rascals,"  says  Buzot,  "  is 
almost  incredible.  For  the  past  eight  months  we 
have  had  to  endure  conduct  which  has  at  once  dis- 
gusted and  shamed  every  honest  and  sensitive  soul. 
Although  I  knew  how  necessary  it  was  to  be  patient, 
I  checked  myself  a  thousand  times  on  the  point  of 
blowing  out  the  brains  of  one  or  other  of  these  odious 
wretches.  Good  God  !  what  deputations  !  It  seemed 
as  though  they  had  ransacked  the  sewers  of  Paris 
and  the  big  towns,  and  had  collected  together  the 

149 


LOUVET 

most  hideous,  the  most  filthy,  and  the  most  infected 
refuse.  They  all  had  ugly  faces,  of  every  tint  except 
that  of  cleanliness,  surmounted  by  shocks  of  greasy 
hair,  with  eyes  sunk  deep  into  their  heads.  With 
every  nauseous  breath  they  exhaled  the  most  scur- 
rilous abuse,  interspersed  with  the  sharp  cries  of 
beasts  of  prey.  The  tribunes  were  in  every  way 
worthy  of  such  legislators.  Crime  and  misery  were 
stamped  upon  the  faces  of  the  men,  whilst  the  lowest 
debauchery  was  apparent  in  the  shameless  bearing 
of  the  women.  When  the  hands,  feet  and  voices  of 
this  mob  began  their  racket,  you  might  have  thought 
you  had  strayed  into  an  assembly  of  devils."* 

The  disillusionment,  then,  was  not  all  on  one  side  ; 
and  the  Girondists,  who  had  begun  by  endowing 
the  people  with  all  the  virtues,  ended  by  finding 
them  Yahoos,  and  turned  from  them  in  disgust. 

Each  day  the  quarrel  in  the  Convention  grew 
more  embittered.  Calumny  met  calumny,  violence 
repelled  violence.  The  hall  rang  with  cries  of 
"  Liar  !  "  "  Scoundrel !  "  "  Conspirator  !  "  "  Aristo- 
crat !  "  "  Assassin  !  "  Louvet  declared  he  would  go 
to  the  sittings  armed  with  a  blunderbuss.  Others 
brought  sword-sticks,  pistols,  and  loaded  canes. 
Marat  carried  a  huge  cavalry  sword.  Bourdon  de 
1'Oise  struck  Chambon,  and  called  him  out ;  whilst 
that  hot-headed  apostle,  Rebecqui  of  Marseilles, 
in  his  yearning  to  reclaim  a  wandering  sheep,  seized 
him  by  the  throat  with  such  violence  that  he  was 
almost  rendered  incapable  of  ever  again  straying 
from  the  fold.  On  one  occasion  Marat  left  his  seat, 

*  Buzot  (F.N.L.,)  Mfrnoires  ;  edited  by  C.  A.  Dauban,  p.  57^ 

150 


LOUVET 

foaming  at  the  mouth,  and  ran  down  the  hall  yelling, 
"  Silence,  you  wretches  !  Let  the  patriots  speak  !  " 
"  Hold  your  noise,  you  thief  !  "  he  shouted  to  one 
member  ;  and  to  another  :  "  Silence,  you  traitor  !  " 

Meanwhile,  Dumouriez,  whose  great  victory  at 
Jemappes  in  the  previous  November  had  laid  Bel- 
gium at  the  feet  of  the  Republic,  complained  bitterly 
of  the  rapacity  and  lawlessness  of  the  Jacobin  agents 
who  had  been  sent  in  the  wake  of  his  victorious 
army  to  propagate  Revolutionary  principles  and 
to  establish  clubs  after  the  pattern  of  the  mother 
society.  They  had  taken  possession  of  the  valuable 
church  ornaments,  sequestrated  the  revenues  of  the 
clergy,  confiscated  the  property  of  the  nobles,  and 
had,  in  short,  brought  odium  on  the  Government  in 
every  possible  way.  Unless,  he  asserted,  the  Con- 
vention abandoned  this  harsh  policy  and  adopted 
more  conciliatory  measures,  the  conquered  people 
would  inevitably  revolt  against  the  French  occupa- 
tion. Finding  that  his  protests  were  disregarded,  he 
came  to  Paris  at  the  time  of  the  King's  trial,  to  see 
what  his  personal  influence  could  do  towards  redress- 
ing the  grievances,  which  were  fast  alienating  the 
sympathy  of  the  Belgians  from  the  Revolutionary 
cause. 

He  succeeded  only  in  arousing  the  hatred  of  the 
ultra- Jacobins ;  and  he  returned  to  his  army  de- 
termined at  the  first  opportunity  of  putting  down 
the  factions  by  force  of  arms.  On  reaching  Belgium, 
he  restored  part  of  the  property  taken  from  the 
churches,  and  issued  a  proclamation  in  the  name 
of  the  Republic  repudiating  all  the  vexatious  acts 


LOUVET 

committed  by  the  Jacobin  agents,  whom  he  desig- 
nated as  brigands.  He  then  arrested  two  of  the 
Government  Commissioners  and  sent  them  back  to 
Paris  under  an  armed  escort.  These  measures  suc- 
ceeded in  attaching  the  Belgians  to  him.  Lastly, 
when  the  Government  sent  a  special  deputation  to 
him  for  an  explanation  of  his  conduct,  he  openly  set 
them  at  naught,  and  expressed  with  much  vigour  his 
hearty  contempt  for  the  Convention  and  all  its 
works. 

But  at  this  moment  his  army  met  with  a  series  of 
disastrous  reverses.  The  Austrians  drove  General 
Valence  from  Aix-la-Chapelle ;  Miranda  was  forced 
to  raise  the  siege  of  Maestricht ;  and  Dumouriez  him- 
self was  in  consequence  compelled  to  abandon  his 
invasion  of  Holland. 

The  Frenchman  is  not  a  good  sportsman.  He 
takes  a  beating  badly.  Indeed,  it  has  always  been 
his  nature  to  do  so.  In  times  of  crisis  he  is  apt  to 
betray  a  certain  moral  instability.  As  the  temper 
of  the  Gauls,  says  Caesar,  is  ardent  and  sanguine  in 
undertaking  wars,  so  is  their  spirit  soft  and  unstable 
in  enduring  misfortunes.*  At  such  moments  a  French- 
man will  readily  suspect  his  best  friend  of  betraying 
him  ;  forgetting  that,  when  men  pass  from  thought  to 
action,  they  are  obliged  to  place  confidence  in  some- 
body. Moreover,  from  his  first  appearance  in  his- 
tory, credulity  and  suspicion  have  been  distinctive 
traits  of  his  character.  Hence  his  peculiar  sus- 
ceptibility to  panic,  which  has  been  such  an  im- 
portant factor  in  determining  his  destiny.  Nothing 

*  Casar's  Commentaries  on  the  Gallic  War,  bk.  iii.,  ch.  19. 
152 


LOUVET 

escaped  the  attention  of  the  Roman  General,  and 
he  knew  the  peculiarities  of  the  Gauls,  as  he  knew 
those  of  his  favourite  Tenth  Legion.  After  remark- 
ing on  their  fickleness  and  love  of  change,  he  tells 
how  it  was  their  habit  to  stop  travellers  and  mer- 
chants, and  compel  them  to  declare  what  country 
they  came  from  and  to  tell  what  news  they  had 
learned  there.  Under  the  influence  of  such  vague 
information,  they  frequently  embarked  on  enterprises 
of  the  highest  importance,  of  which,  adds  Caesar, 
they  must  constantly  repent ;  for,  since  they  are 
notoriously  the  slaves  of  uncertain  rumours,  most 
people  give  them  false  answers  adapted  to  their 
wishes.* 

When  the  news  of  Dumouriez'  reverses  reached 
Paris,  the  cry  of  treachery  was  immediately  raised 
by  the  Jacobins,  and  again  their  fables  were  accepted 
by  the  credulous  populace.  The  Jacobins,  also, 
knew  the  national  weakness,  and  acted  upon  it,  as 
Caesar  had  done  before  them.  They  found  it  easy  to 
turn  the  popular  suspicion  against  the  Girondists, 
and  the  latter  were  openly  accused  of  aiding  and 
abetting  the  traitor  Dumouriez. 

A  riot  took  place,  during  which  the  mob,  led  by 
the  most  turbulent  demagogues,  broke  into  the 
offices  of  several  of  the  leading  Girondist  newspapers 
and  destroyed  the  printing-presses.  The  tumult  -was 
eventually  put  down  without  bloodshed  by  Beurnon- 
ville,  the  Minister  of  War.  But  more  serious  disturb- 
ances occurred  on  the  following  day.  Indeed,  there  is 
little  doubt  that  an  organized  conspiracy  existed  to 

*  Casar's  Commentaries  on  the  Gallic  War,  bk.  iv.,  ch.  5. 
153 


LOUVET 

do  away  with  the  leading  Girondist  Deputies.  For 
some  weeks  past  their  lives  had  been  in  peril.  Again 
and  again  Marat  had  covertly  threatened  them ; 
whilst  the  bloody-minded  jests  of  He'bert  openly 
pointed  them  out  to  the  dagger  of  the  assassin.  They 
seldom  ventured  out  alone,  and  were  always  under 
arms.  Their  nights  were  passed  away  from  home. 
Louvet  and  Lodoi'ska  often  found  shelter  at  the  house 
of  Mme.  Goussard,  wife  of  the  Directeur  de  la  Compta- 
bilite  Commerciale,  a  very  old  friend  of  theirs,  as 
also  of  the  Brissots,  the  Rolands,  and  the  Petions. 
This  lady  soon  after  risked  her  life  in  facilitating  the 
escape  of  Louvet  and  Petion  from  Paris. 

In  order  to  be  near  the  Convention,  Louvet  had 
recently  taken  rooms  in  the  Rue  Saint-Honore,  a 
short  distance  above  the  hall  of  the  Jacobin  Club. 
In  this  modest  home,  on  the  evening  of  March  loth, 
Lodoi'ska  anxiously  awaited  Louvet 's  return  from 
the  Assembly,  which  was  then  sitting  permanently. 
She  had  needed  all  her  courage  to  carry  her  through 
the  day,  for  the  Convention  had  just  decreed  the 
establishment  of  an  extraordinary  tribunal  for  trying 
without  appeal  all  conspirators  and  counter-revolu- 
tionaries. Suspecting  that  such  a  measure  was  partly 
aimed  at  themselves,  many  of  the  Girondists  had 
strenuously  combated  the  proposal. 

"  I  would  rather  die,"  cried  Vergniaud,  "  than 
consent  to  the  establishment  of  an  inquisition  a 
thousand  times  more  terrible  than  that  of  Venice  !  " 

And  Lanjuinais  suggested  that,  if  they  were 
determined  to  sanction  such  an  iniquity,  they 
ought  at  least  to  limit  the  calamity  to  the 

154 


LOUVET 

Department  of  Paris.  After  a  fierce  debate,  which 
had  exhausted  the  strength  of  all  present,  it 
was  proposed  to  adjourn  the  sitting  for  an  hour. 
This  brought  Danton  to  his  feet.  "  What  !  "  he 
exclaimed,  "is  it  at  the  moment  that  Miranda  is 
beaten,  and  Dumouriez,  taken  in  the  rear,  may  be 
obliged  to  lay  down  his  arms,  that  you  think  of 
deserting  your  posts  ?  Let  us  rather  complete  the 
enactment  of  these  extraordinary  laws  destined  to 
overawe  our  internal  enemies.  They  must  be  arbi- 
trary, because  it  is  impossible  to  render  them  precise  ; 
and  terrible  though  they  be,  they  will  be  preferable 
to  the  popular  executions,  which  now,  as  in  Sep- 
tember, would  be  the  consequence  of  the  delay  of 
justice.  After  establishing  this  tribunal,  you  must 
organize  an  energetic  executive  power,  which  shall 
be  in  close  co-operation  with  you  and  have  power 
to  raise  both  men  and  money.  To-day,  then,  the 
extraordinary  tribunal,  to-morrow  the  executive 
power,  and  the  next  day  the  departure  of  your 
commissioners  to  the  Departments.  Let  who  will 
calumniate  me.  Let  my  name  be  blotted  out  and 
my  memory  perish,  if  only  France  may  be  free  !  " 

It  was  ultimately  decided  to  raise  a  levy  of  three 
hundred  thousand  recruits,  and  to  establish  the 
tribunal  forthwith.  Thus,  like  a  second  Minerva, 
the  chief  instrument  of  the  Terror  sprang,  fully 
armed,  from  the  brain  of  another  Jupiter  enthroned 
on  the  revolutionary  Olympus. 

Mme.  Suard,  whose  salon  afterwards  became 
famous,  asked  one  of  her  friends  what  he  thought  of 
the  newly-established  tribunal. 

155 


LOUVET 

"  What  do  I  think  of  it  ?  "  he  replied.  "  Why,  I 
dare  scarcely  hold  my  tongue  !  " 

When  the  Lion  of  the  Mountain  raised  his  terrible 
voice,  passions  ran  high.  All  this  Lodoi'ska  knew  as 
she  sat  that  night  waiting  in  her  little  room,  and  she 
trembled  for  Louvet's  safety.  Suddenly  a  deafening 
uproar,  mingled  with  hoarse  cries  and  the  tramp  of 
many  feet,  arose  in  the  street  below.  She  had  lived 
long  enough  in  the  heart  of  the  Revolution  to  know 
that  those  sounds  boded  no  good.  She  ran  to  the 
window  and  looked  out.  An  angry  crowd  of  men  and 
women  surged  around  the  entrance  of  the  Jacobin 
Club.  The  clock  struck  nine  as  Lodoiska  dashed 
downstairs  and  forced  her  way  through  the  seething 
mob.  From  an  obscure  corner  of  the  gallery  she 
watched  the  proceedings.  She  carried  her  life  in  her 
hands.  Had  she  been  recognized,  she  had  small 
mercy  to  expect  from  the  fury  of  those  around  her. 
The  age  of  chivalry  was  dead.  Bentabole,  a  creature 
of  Marat's,  first  rose  to  read  a  report  on  the  morning's 
sitting  of  the  Convention.  When  he  had  concluded, 
a  column  of  volunteers,  armed  with  swords  and 
pistols,  asked  to  be  allowed  to  parade  through  the 
hall.  Having  obtained  the  President's  consent,  they 
filed  before  the  Assembly  amid  enthusiastic  applause. 

"  Citizens,"  cried  one  of  them,  "  at  the  moment 
when  the  country  is  in  danger,  the  conquerors  of  the 
loth  of  August  are  rising  to  exterminate  her  enemies 
abroad  and  at  home." 

"  Yes,"  replied  Collot  d'Herbois,  the  President ; 
"  and  in  spite  of  the  intriguers  we  will  unite  with  you 
to  preserve  our  freedom." 

156 


LOUVET 

*'  Let  us  arrest  the  traitors  in  their  houses  1  '* 
cried  Desfieux,  after  denouncing  the  leading  Giron- 
dists by  name. 

"  No,  no  !  "  shouted  a  soldier.  "  Arrest  is  not 
sufficient :  the  people  must  have  vengeance  !  What 
do  we  care  for  the  inviolability  of  the  national  repre- 
sentatives !  I  trample  it  under  foot." 

At  this  point,  Dubois-Crance,  a  member  of  the 
Mountain,  who  had  just  arrived,  opposed  these 
drastic  measures  and  counselled  moderation.  His 
speech  occasioned  a  frightful  commotion.  It  was  at 
last  decided  that  those  present  should  divide  into 
two  bands,  one  of  which  should  go  to  the  Cordelier 
Club  for  reinforcements,  whilst  the  other  proceeded 
to  the  Convention  to  demand  that  the  unpopular 
Deputies  should  be  handed  over  to  them.  Then  the 
rabble  swarmed  over  the  partitions  of  the  galleries 
into  the  body  of  the  hall.  Swords  were  drawn ; 
the  lights  were  suddenly  extinguished,  and  the  two 
bands  set  out,  amid  cries  of  "  Down  with  the  Giron- 
dists !  "  "  Death  to  the  traitors  !  " 

In  the  tumult  Lodoiska  slipped  out  unobserved 
and  joined  the  crowd  marching  towards  the  Cordelier 
Club  ;  and,  watching  her  opportunity,  broke  from 
them  and  made  her  way  home.  Louvet  had  already 
returned.  He  immediately  snatched  up  a  sword 
and  flew  to  Petion's,  where  he  found  several  of  his 
friends  assembled,  calmly  discussing  the  proposals 
about  to  be  submitted  to  the  Convention,  as  was 
their  wont. 

"  God  alone  knows,"  says  Louvet,  "  what  diffi- 
culty I  had  to  arouse  them  to  a  sense  of  their  danger." 

157 


LOUVEt 

At  length,  he  persuaded  them  to  absent  themselves 
temporarily  from  the  Assembly,  and  to  meet  again 
that  night  at  a  retired  place,  where  they  would  be  safe 
from  attack.  He  then  hastened  to  the  Convention 
to  give  the  alarm,  and  most  of  the  threatened  mem- 
bers left.  Kervelegan,  the  Deputy  for  Finistere, 
rushed  off  to  the  barracks  of  the  Brest  battalion  of 
loyal  volunteers  and  called  them  to  arms.  They 
immediately  marched  off  with  him  to  defend  the 
national  representatives.  Meanwhile,  Lou  vet  ran 
from  door  to  door,  braving  a  thousand  dangers,  to 
warn  his  colleagues.  Two  hours  later  he  repaired, 
thoroughly  exhausted,  to  the  meeting-place  agreed 
upon.  Valaze,  Buzot,  Brissot,  Vergniaud,  Bar- 
baroux  and  Salle  were  already  there  ;  whilst  Beur- 
nonville  had  posted  himself  at  the  door  with  a  patrol 
of  volunteers.  Petion  was  missing.  Knowing  the 
peril  he  was  in  if  he  remained  at  home,  Louvet  set 
out  for  his  house,  and  earnestly  entreated  him  to 
leave.  But  the  stolid  Petion  was  not  to  be  moved. 

"  It  is  raining,"  said  he,  throwing  open  the  window  ; 
"  they  won't  do  anything  to-night." 

Petion  was  right.  There  is  nothing  like  a  rain- 
storm to  damp  the  spirits  of  the  riotous.  Of  the 
two  columns  that  had  set  out,  only  a  handful  of  the 
more  resolute  marched  to  the  Convention,  to  find 
that  the  birds  had  already  flown.  When  he  had 
assured  himself  that  the  insurrection  had  failed,  the 
Mayor  prudently  reported  the  matter  to  the 
Assembly. 

Thus,  the  conspiracy  of  the  loth  of  March  was  foiled 
by  the  heroic  devotion  of  a  woman.  Lodoiska  had 

158 


LOUVET 

proved  herself  to  be  one  of  those  rare  women  whose 
natural  place  in  the  hour  of  danger  is  at  the  side 
of  the  men  they  love.  Is  it  to  be  wondered  at  that 
Louvet  sometimes  becomes  lyrical,  not  to  say  tire- 
some, as  he  sings  the  eternal  praise  of  Lodoi'ska  in 
his  beautiful  French  prose  ? 


159 


CHAPTER   XV 

Vergniaud  denounces  the  conspiracy — His  eloquence — Louvet's 
dissatisfaction — Vergniaud's  strange  reply — Louvet  discusses 
the  situation  with  Lodoiska — He  publishes  another  pamphlet — 
The  Committee  of  Public  Safety — Treason  of  Dumouriez — 
Danton  attempts  to  conciliate  the  Girondists — They  reject  his 
overtures — His  furious  outburst — First  attack  on  the  Girondists 
from  without — Robespierre  follows  up  the  attack — Vergniaud's 
crushing  rejoinder. 

THE  threatened  Deputies  entrusted  the  formal 
denunciation  of  the  conspiracy  to  Vergniaud. 
Had  Louvet  known  how  the  great  orator  would 
acquit  himself  of  his  task,  he  would  have  strenuously 
opposed  his  selection.  Vergniaud  mounted  the 
tribune  on  the  I3th  of  the  month.  His  speech  is  a 
sublime  piece  of  oratory ;  like  a  noble  river  it  rolls 
majestically  onwards,  but  beneath  the  placid  surface 
there  is  an  irresistible  force — the  speaker's  passionate 
love  of  his  country.  Applied  to  the  leaders  of  the 
Revolution,  this  is  no  empty  figure  of  speech,  but  a 
genuine  and  living  emotion.  To  Vergniaud,  France 
is  a  beloved  mistress  turning  to  his  manhood  for 
help  in  her  hour  of  need.  She  claimed  his  heart's 
blood.  He  was  soon  to  give  it,  and  to  glory  in  the 
sacrifice.  It  was  good  to  die  for  such  a  country  ! 
It  would  have  been  better  still  to  have  lived  for 
her.  As  we  read  the  oration  to-day,  we  understand 
the  devotion  of  the  man's  friends  :  we  wonder  how 
he  came  to  have  enemies. 

160 


LOUVET 

"  We  are  marching,"  said  he,  "  from  crimes  to 
amnesties,  and  from  amnesties  to  crimes.  A  great 
many  citizens  have  now  come  to  confound  these 
ever-recurring  seditions  with  the  grand  march  of 
liberty ;  to  mistake  the  violence  of  brigands  for  the 
efforts  of  energetic  minds,  and  to  regard  even  robbery 
and  destruction  as  necessary  to  public  safety.  .  .  . 

"  On  this  account,  citizens,  there  is  reason  to  fear 
that  the  Revolution,  like  Saturn,  will  devour  all  her 
children,  and  end  by  giving  birth  to  despots.  .  .  . 

"  In  ancient  times,  there  was  a  tyrant  who  had  all 
his  victims  laid  on  an  iron  bed  and,  by  mutilating 
the  tall  ones  and  dislocating  the  short  ones,  succeeded 
in  making  them  all  of  one  uniform  size.  Citizens,  that 
tyrant  was  also  a  lover  of  equality  ;  and  it  is  this 
kind  of  equality  which  is  so  often  imposed  upon 


"  If  our  principles  are  so. slow  of  propagation  among 
the  nations  of  the  earth,  it  is  because  their  radiance 
is  obscured  by  the  blood-stained  veil  of  anarchy 
and  sedition.  When  our  ancestors  first  fell  on  their 
knees  to  worship  the  sun,  do  you  think  that  it  was 
obscured  by  the  clouds  of  a  gathering  storm.  No  ; 
we  cannot  doubt  that  it  shone  forth  from  the  im- 
mensity of  space  resplendent  with  undimmed  glory  to 
spread  light  and  fruitfulness  over  the  whole  world." 

He  concluded  by  demanding  a  decree  of  accusation 
against  Fournier,  Desfieux,  and  Lazowski,  the  leaders 
of  the  insurrection. 

Unfortunately,  Vergniaud  directed  his  denunciation 
to  the  wrong  address.  Instead  of  frankly  accusing 
the  Jacobins  of  aiding  and  abetting  the  conspiracy, 

161  ii 


LOUVET 

he  denounced  it  as  the  work  of  the  aristocrats.  The 
Mountain  asked  nothing  better.  They  were  loud  in 
their  praise  of  Vergniaud's  eloquence.  Even  Marat 
grinned  approval,  and  seconded  the  motion  for 
arresting  the  leading  rioters.  The  Minister  of  Justice 
was  ordered  to  make  a  strict  inquiry  into  the  matter 
and  to  report  to  the  Convention.  He  carried  out 
his  directions  in  the  most  perfunctory  manner,  and 
declared  that  he  could  find  no  trace  of  the  alleged 
Committee  of  Insurrection. 

Vergniaud's  complaisance  to  the  Mountain  had 
filled  Lou  vet  with  astonishment.  He  drew  the  great 
orator  aside,  and  asked  him  the  reason  of  his  strange 
conduct.  Vergniaud  answered  that  he  deemed  it 
impolitic  to  name  the  real  conspirators  lest  he  should 
still  more  exasperate  men  who  were  already  too  prone 
to  be  carried  away  by  their  violent  passions.  In  vain 
Louvet  pointed  out  that  such  squeamishness  was  lost 
on  their  opponents  and  served  only  to  prepare  their 
own  ruin.  He  turned  homewards  with  a  heavy  heart. 
"  These  men,"  said  he  to  his  faithful  Lodoiska,  "  are 
rushing  blindly  on  death ;  if  it  were  not  that  they 
are  the  only  representatives  of  virtue  and  duty,  it 
would  be  necessary  to  break  with  them  at  once." 

Nevertheless,  a  few  of  the  Girondists  saw  that 
Vergniaud  had  led  them  into  a  false  position,  and 
how  the  error  had  been  turned  to  the  profit  of  their 
enemies  ;  and  they  earnestly  begged  Louvet  to  do 
what  he  could  to  remedy  the  evil.  But  when  he  rose 
to  speak  the  Convention  refused  to  hear  him.  He 
therefore  promptly  wrote  a  pamphlet,  entitled  "A  la 
Convention  nationale  et  a  mes  Commettans  sur  la  Con- 

162 


LOUVET 

spiration  du  10  Mars  et  la  faction  d' Orleans."  An 
edition  of  six  thousand  copies  was  distributed  in 
Paris,  and  the  brochure  was  reprinted  in  several  of 
the  Departments. 

It  is  an  exceedingly  able  attack  on  Garat,  the 
Minister  of  Justice,  and  on  those  members  of  the 
Mountain  who,  although  fully  aware  of  the  con- 
spiracy, failed  to  report  it  to  the  Convention.  The 
opening  repels  the  charge  of  Girondist  intrigues  with 
Dumouriez,  and  proves  that  Danton,  Lacroix,  and 
their  associates  had  far  more  intimate  relations  with 
the  suspected  General  than  ever  the  Girondists  had. 
As  usual,  they  had  anticipated  the  treason  of 
Dumouriez,  for  the  news  of  his  defection  did  not 
reach  them  until  some  days  later.  Louvet  then 
passed  to  an  account  of  the  inner  history  of  the  insur- 
rection. Throughout  the  speech  there  is  that  strange 
insistence  on  a  certain  phrase,  the  constant  repetition 
of  a  fixed  order  of  words,  which  in  Louvet 's  oratory 
always  makes  such  a  profound  impression.  Just  as 
every  paragraph  in  the  exordium  of  his  famous 
attack  on  Robespierre  began  with  the  terrible  words, 
"  ]e  t "accuse,"  so  in  his  indictment  of  Garat  he  re- 
peats at  the  end  of  each  accusation  the  words,  "  Yet 
the  Minister  of  Justice  cannot  find  a  trace  of  the 
Committee  of  Insurrection  !  " 

In  this  brochure  Louvet  made  good  use  of  Lodoiska's 
report  of  the  famous  meeting  of  the  Jacobin  Club. 
He  regarded  this  work,  which  is  exceedingly  rare,  as 
his  political  testament.  It  was  the  last  of  his  writings 
as  a  member  of  the  Convention. 

On  March  26th,  the  nominations  for  the  new 
163  n* 


LOUVET 

Committee  of  Public  Safety  were  made.  Of  the 
twenty-four  members,  nine  only  were  Girondists.  The 
party  was  rapidly  losing  power.  At  the  same  time 
the  Revolutionary  Tribunal  began  its  operations ; 
domiciliary  visits  were  ordered  to  be  made,  and  no 
person  was  safe  from  arrest  who  was  unable  to  pro- 
duce a  certificate  of  citizenship  upon  demand.  In 
order  to  facilitate  the  arrest  of  suspected  persons 
the  Convention  decreed  that  all  landlords  and  house- 
holders should  post  up  outside  their  houses  a  list 
of  all  residents  therein,  with  their  names,  ages  and 
occupations. 

At  this  period,  the  Convention  was  possessed  by  a 
feverish  energy,  and  the  members  scarcely  allowed 
themselves  time  for  food  and  sleep.  On  the  receipt 
of  official  information  as  to  the  treason  of  Dumouriez, 
he  was  summoned  to  the  bar,  and  five  members  were 
commissioned  to  proceed  to  his  army  with  power 
to  suspend  or  arrest  any  of  the  generals,  officers,  or 
men,  besides  suspected  functionaries  and  ordinary 
citizens.  On  the  following  day  (March  3ist), 
Chaumette  formally  demanded  the  impeachment  of 
Dumouriez.  The  Convention  ordered  his  address  to 
be  printed  and  sent  to  all  the  Republican  armies  in 
the  field. 

For  some  time  Danton  had  shown  little  inclination 
to  join  his  party  in  their  attacks  on  the  Girondists. 
Meillan,  one  of  their  number,  at  this  period,  once  met 
him  at  the  Committee  of  Public  Safety,  and,  speaking 
to  him  in  a  friendly  way,  assured  him  how  different 
were  the  feelings  which  the  Girondists  had  for  him 
from  those  they  entertained  for  Robespierre.  He 

164 


LOUVET 

frankly  expressed  their  admiration  of  his  splendid 
abilities  and  his  fertile  and  energetic  mind,  and  con- 
cluded by  saying  that  he  might  play  the  very  greatest 
part,  if  only  he  would  employ  his  power  to  good 
purpose  and  to  the  welfare  of  the  Republic.  Deeply 
impressed  by  these  words,  Danton  looked  up  quickly, 
and  in  a  voice  shaken  by  emotion,  said,  "  You 
Girondists  have  no  confidence  in  me."  Meillan  vainly 
sought  to  undeceive  him.  "  No,  no,"  replied  Danton, 
"  you  have  no  confidence  in  me,"  and  he  cut  the 
conversation  short  by  moving  slowly  away. 

There  is  little  doubt  that  Danton  would  gladly  have 
joined  hands  with  the  Girondists  had  he  met  with  the 
least  encouragement  on  their  part.  But  they  never 
forgave  him  his  attitude  during  the  prison  massacres, 
and  thus,  by  scruples  which  were  as  honourable  as 
they  were  imprudent,  they  drove  him  into  the  arms 
of  Robespierre  and  Marat,  whom  he  despised.  In  this 
they  were  no  doubt  largely  influenced  by  Madame 
Roland,  who  from  the  first  had  entertained  a  mortal 
antipathy  towards  the  great  demagogue — the  anti- 
pathy of  a  refined  and  cultivated  woman  for  the  gross 
language  and  frank  brutality  of  an  untutored  bar- 
barian. This  was  also  the  opinion  of  Dumouriez. 

"  One  man  alone,"  said  he,  in  his  memoirs,  "  could 
have  saved  the  Girondists,  but  they  completely 
alienated  him,  although  Dumouriez "  (the  General 
had  the  pleasant  trick  of  speaking  of  himself  in  the 
third  person)  "  had  counselled  them  to  keep  fair  with 
him.  This  man  was  Danton.  To  a  hideous  face,  a 
harsh  and  violent  heart,  much  ignorance  and  coarse- 
ness, he  united  great  natural  ability  and  an 

165 


LOUVET 

exceedingly  energetic  character.  If  the  Girondists  had 
possessed  common  sense  enough  to  have  coalesced 
with  him,  he  would  have  humbled  the  atrocious  faction 
of  Marat,  and  either  tamed  or  annihilated  the 
Jacobins  ....  but  the  Girondists  provoked  him,  and 
he  sacrificed  everything  to  his  vengeance." 

It  was  Lasource  who  destroyed  all  hope  of  recon- 
ciliation. He  openly  accused  Danton  and  Lacroix, 
in  the  Convention,  of  connivance  in  the  treason  of 
Dumouriez.  Trembling  with  passion  and  with  his 
face  convulsed  with  fury,  Danton  rushed  to  the 
tribune.  He  demanded  that  the  special  commission 
appointed  to  inquire  into  the  conspiracy  of  Dumouriez 
should  also  take  proceedings  against  those  who  had 
plotted  against  the  indivisibility  of  the  Republic 
and  those  who  had  attempted  to  save  the  King  and 
to  ruin  liberty. 

"  No  more  peace  or  truce,"  he  thundered,  "  between 
you  and  us.  I  have  entrenched  myself  in  the  citadel 
of  reason.  I  will  sally  out  with  the  cannon  of  truth, 
and  I  will  grind  to  powder  the  villains  who  have  dared 
to  accuse  me."  That  awful  voice  must  have  struck 
terror  to  the  hearts  of  the  bravest. 

It  was  at  once  decreed  that  the  existing  Committee 
of  Public  Safety  should  be  replaced  by  a  new  com- 
mittee of  the  same  name  (composed  of  only  nine 
members),  which  should  have  supreme  executive 
power.  The  elected  members  all  belonged  to  the 
Mountain. 

Two  days  later,  on  April  8th,  the  Convention  ad- 
mitted to  its  bar  a  deputation  from  the  Section  of 
Bon  Conseil,  demanding  the  arrest  of  Brissot, 

166 


From  an  engraving  by  Levachez. 


Designed  and  engraved  by  Duplessis  Berteaux. 

DANTON. 


[To  face  page  166. 


LOUVET 

Vergniaud,  Guadet,  Gensonne",  Louvet,  Barbaroux, 
Buzot,  and  other  Girondists.  Instead  of  punishing 
this  outrage  as  an  act  of  rebellion  against  the 
sovereignty  of  the  people,  the  Convention,  by  an 
ill-advised  and  untimely  application  of  the  principles 
of  individual  liberty,  and  a  squeamish  regard  for  the 
rights  of  persons,  permitted  the  evil,  and  took  no 
measures  to  arrest  its  progress,  until  it  had  acquired 
such  strength  as  made  every  effort  against  it  in- 
effectual. Amid  the  applause  of  the  tribunes  and 
the  extreme  left,  the  petitioners  were  awarded  the 
honours  of  the  sitting.  Such  was  the  first  attack 
made  from  without  upon  the  Girondists  in  their  last 
refuge,  the  bosom  of  the  Convention. 

This  success  was  immediately  followed  up  by 
Robespierre. 

"  A  powerful  faction,"  said  he,  "  is  conspiring 
with  the  tyrants  of  Europe  to  give  us  a  king  and  an 
aristocratic  constitution  ;  it  hopes  to  attain  its  shame- 
ful desire  by  force  of  foreign  arms  and  an  insurrec- 
tion in  the  Departments.  These  views  are  pleasing 
to  the  aristocrats  of  the  middle  classes,  who  entertain 
a  horror  of  equality  and  are  in  constant  fear  for  their 
property.  I  demand  that  all  members  of  the  Orleans 
family  be  brought  before  the  Revolutionary  Tribunal, 
together  with  Sillery  and  his  wife,*  Valence,  and 
all  those  intimately  connected  with  this  house  ;  and, 
further,  that  the  Tribunal  be  directed  to  institute 
proceedings  against  all  the  other  accomplices  of 
Dumouriez.  Dare  I  name  such  patriots  as  Brissot, 
Vergniaud,  Gensonne,  Guadet  ?  " 

*  Known  to  later  generations  as  Madame  de  Genlis. 
167 


LOUVET 

At  these  words,  Vergniaud  sprang  to  his  feet. 
"  I  will  venture  to  reply  to  Monsieur  Robespierre," 
he  cried,  "  who,  by  a  perfidious  romance  concocted 
in  the  silence  of  his  study,  has  provoked  fresh  dis- 
cords in  the  bosom  of  the  Assembly.  I  will  venture 
to  reply  to  him  without  preparation  ;  I  have  no  need, 
as  he  has,  to  call  in  the  aid  of  art :  my  soul  suffices 
me." 

He  then  proceeded  in  a  masterly  manner  to  tear 
in  pieces  the  web  of  suspicion  which  Robespierre  had 
skilfully  woven  around  him  and  his  friends.  During 
the  course  of  his  long  speech,  he  was  constantly 
annoyed  by  the  interruptions  of  Panis,  a  furious 
demagogue.* 

When  he  came  to  deal  with  Robespierre's  accusa- 
tion that  the  Committee  of  General  Defence  had 
failed  to  do  its  duty,  Vergniaud  pointed  out  that 
Robespierre  was  himself  a  member  of  that  Committee, 
though  he  seldom  attended  its  meetings,  on  the  plea 
that  he  had  no  time. 

"  Is  it  just,"  asked  Vergniaud,  "  that  members 
who  by  their  negligence  left  to  us  all  the  work  of 
the  Committee,  should  accuse  us  of  usurping  the 
power  of  that  Committee  ?  " 

At  this  point,  Panis  again  broke  in  : 
"  We  did   not  wish  to  attend  a  Committee  full  of 
conspirators." 

"  I  have  only  one  word  to  say  to  Panis,"  and 
Vergniaud  quietly  turned  to  his  enemy,  "  let  him 
present  his  accounts." 

The  whole  Convention  joined  in  the  laugh.      It  was 

*  Yet  his  favourite  book  was  Virgil,  in  the  original,  if  you  please. 

168 


LOUVET 

a  nasty  homethrust,  for  there  was  more  than  a  sus- 
picion that  Panis  had  profited  by  his  position  as  ad- 
ministrator of  police,  in  August  and  September,  1792, 
to  make  a  considerable  fortune.  The  orator  there- 
upon resumed  his  speech,  and  was  no  longer  troubled 
by  interruptions. 

"  The  patriotism  of  some  men,"  continued  Verg- 
niaud,  "  seems  to  consist  in  tormenting  their  fellows, 
and  in  plunging  them  into  misery.  If  I  had  had  my 
way,  patriotism  should  have  made  all  men  happy. 
The  Convention  is  the  centre  around  which  all  citizens 
should  rally.  I  am  afraid  they  sometimes  turn  in  this 
direction  with  fear  and  trembling.  I  should  have 
wished  it  to  be  the  centre  of  all  our  affection  and  all 
our  hope.  You  have  sought  to  consummate  the 
Revolution  by  terror.  I  should  have  wished  to  con- 
summate it  by  love.  I  little  thought  that,  as  the 
savage  ministers  of  the  Inquisition  spoke  of  the  God 
of  Mercy  only  when  surrounded  by  then:  victims 
burning  at  the  stake,  you  also  would  call  upon  the 
sacred  name  of  Liberty  only  from  the  midst  of  daggers 
and  assassins." 

Vergniaud's  words  made  a  profound  impression  on 
the  Assembly,  and  when  he  had  finished  loud  applause 
broke  out  on  all  sides.  But  the  quarrel  had  gone 
too  far,  the  wounds  which  the  rival  parties  had  in- 
flicted on  each  other  were  too  deep,  to  be  healed  by 
the  balm  of  noble  thoughts,  however  nobly  expressed. 


169 


CHAPTER  XVI 

A  quarrel — Guadet — Impeachment  of  Marat — His  acquittal — 
Commune  demands  expulsion  of  the  Girondist  leaders — Masuyer's 
jest,  and  what  it  cost  him — Commune  levies  a  forced  loan — 
Second  plot  to  murder  the  Girondist  leaders — They  order 
the  arrest  of  Hebert  and  his  associates — The  Commune  de- 
mands their  release — Isnard's  famous  rebuke — Herault  de 
Sechelles — Release  of  prisoners — Insurrection  of  May  3ist — 
Lou  vet  and  his  friends  in  hiding — They  proceed  armed  to 
the  Convention — Guadet  apostrophises  Danton — A  stormy 
sitting— The  Convention  is  coerced  by  the  mob — Temporary 
failure  of  the  insurrection. 

"  T    DEMAND  the  punishment  of  all  traitors  and 

A  conspirators,"  cried  Petion  on  April  i2th,  in 
moving  a  vote  of  censure  against  the  reader  of  an 
inflammatory  report. 

"  And  their  accomplices,"  interrupted  Robespierre. 

"  Yes,"  agreed  Petion,  "  and  against  you  as  one 
of  their  number.  It  is  time  to  put  a  stop  to  this 
infamy.  It  is  time  that  all  traitors  and  conspirators 
were  brought  to  the  scaffold,  and  I  will  take  upon 
myself  to  denounce  them." 

"  Give  us  facts,"  sneered  Robespierre. 

"  Good  !   I  will  deal  with  you  first." 

The  partisans  of  Robespierre  here  raised  indignant 
protests,  and  for  long  there  was  a  terrible  commotion. 
At  length  a  tall,  thin  man,  with  a  sallow  complexion, 
aggressive  black  eyes  and  a  sarcastic  mouth,  made 
his  way  into  the  tribune.  It  was  Guadet.  The 
Mountain  always  felt  uncomfortable  when  he  was  on 

170 


From  an  engraving  by  Levachez. 


Designed  and  engraved  by  Duplessis  Berteaux. 


JEROME  PETION. 


[To  face  page  170. 


LOUVET 

his  feet,  for  he  had  many  of  the  gifts  of  a  great  satirist. 
He  was  impetuous,  a  master  of  fiery  eloquence,  but 
even  in  the  most  heated  debates  he  never  lost  control 
of  his  temper,  whilst  he  had  a  rare  skill  in  arousing 
the  nervous  irritability  of  his  opponents.  His  great 
strength  lay  in  a  power  of  laying  bare  hidden  motives, 
of  revealing  moral  cowardice  masquerading  as  worldly 
wisdom,  and  of  tearing  the  veil  from  the  secret  vanities 
and  infirmities  which  lurked  almost  unsuspected  in 
the  souls  of  his  enemies. 

Guadet  concluded  one  of  his  ablest  and  most 
rancorous  speeches  by  reading  aloud  from  the  tribune 
an  address,  signed  by  Marat,  exhorting  the  people 
to  rise  in  arms  against  the  Convention,  as  a  centre  of 
counter-revolution.  The  stroke  was  a  clever  one. 
For  when  the  matter  was  thus  formally  brought  before 
the  Assembly,  even  Marat's  own  party  were  forced 
to  make  some  show  of  condemning  such  flagrant 
audacity.  Several  Mountaineers,  therefore,  joined 
the  Girondists  in  passing  a  decree  formally  impeach- 
ing Marat,  and  ordered  him  to  come  up  for  trial 
before  the  Revolutionary  Tribunal.  It  was  impossible 
for  the  Girondists  to  allow  Marat's  atrocious  threats 
and  calumnies  to  pass  in  silence  ;  yet  this  attempt  to 
bring  him  to  book  served  but  to  hurry  on  their 
destruction.  The  result  of  the  trial  was  a  foregone 
conclusion.  Marat  was  accompanied  to  the  Tribunal 
by  a  howling  multitude  of  ragged  men  and  slatternly 
women,  who  were  prepared  to  tear  judges  and  jury- 
men limb  from  limb  if  they  should  be  so  ill-advised 
as  to  condemn  the  popular  idol. 

"  Citizens,"  said  he,   scowling  at  his  judges,   who 
171 


LOUVET 

trembled  in  their  shoes,  "  it  is  not  a  criminal  who 
appears  before  you  :  it  is  the  apostle  and  martyr  of 
liberty,  against  whom  a  faction  of  notorious  intriguers 
have  obtained  a  decree  of  accusation." 

After  this,  of  course,  there  was  nothing  to  be  said. 
If,  hi  his  wisdom,  Citizen  Marat  gave  it  as  his  opinion 
that  he  ought  to  be  acquitted,  was  it  for  such  as  they 
to  gainsay  him  ?  Heaven  forbid  !  Judges  and  jury- 
men alike  felt  it  a  privilege  to  be  of  Citizen  Marat's 
opinion,  and  he  was  forthwith  acquitted.  Many  a 
man,  I  imagine,  who  played  a  part  in  that  delicate 
transaction  anxiously  awaited  the  next  day's  issue 
of  the  Ami  du  Peuple,  and  trembled  lest  he  should 
find  his  name  upon  the  fatal  list  of  the  suspected. 

On  the  announcement  of  his  acquittal  the  court 
rang  with  frenzied  applause.  Marat  was  then 
crowned  with  a  wreath  of  oak-leaves,  and  the  mob 
of  men  and  women  thronged  around  him  to  pay 
eager  homage  to  the  victorious  Friend  of  the  People. 
Unhappily  the  hero  was  a  stunted,  twisted  little 
man,  so  that  only  those  in  his  immediate  vicinity 
succeeded  in  catching  a  glimpse  of  him.  Thereupon, 
two  stalwart  fellows  seized  on  the  arm-chair  of  one 
of  the  judges,  and  placing  Marat  in  it,  bore  him 
shoulder  high  towards  the  Convention.  During  the 
whole  route  the  procession  was  followed  by  frantic 
cries  of  "  Vive  Marat !"  "  Vive  le  Peuple  /  "  "  Vive 
la  Republique !  "  The  women  of  the  Halles  simply 
buried  their  hero  in  flowers,  so  that  when  he  arrived 
at  the  Assembly  he  was  quite  exhausted.  Still 
seated  on  his  chair,  with  the  wreath  upon  his  brow, 
he  was  carried  into  the  hall.  His  colleagues  of  the 

172 


LOUVET 

Mountain  deemed  it  expedient  to  give  him  a  welcome 
which  made  up  in  effusiveness  for  what  it  lacked  in 
sincerity,  for  they  felt  a  thousand  threatening  eyes 
upon  them,  jealous  for  the  honour  of  the  hero.  The 
mob  then  swarmed  into  the  body  of  the  hall,  drove 
many  of  the  Deputies  from  their  seats,  and  lifting 
Marat  into  the  tribune,  begged  him  to  address  them. 
It  was  some  moments  before  he  could  recover  his 
breath  sufficiently  to  comply  with  this  request.  But 
at  length,  standing  on  tiptoe  so  that  his  head  was 
just  visible  above  the  tribune,  he  said  : 

"  Legislators,  I  appear  before  you  as  a  man  who 
has  been  basely  accused,  but  whose  innocence  has 
been  established  by  a  legal  acquittal.  I  offer  you  a 
pure  heart,  and  I  shall  continue  to  defend  the  rights 
of  the  individual,  the  citizen,  and  the  people  with 
all  the  energy  of  which  I  am  capable." 

These  words  were  received  with  almost  delirious 
enthusiasm,  and  the  sitting  ended  with  a  triumphal 
march  of  the  invading  mob  through  the  hall  of  the 
Convention. 

The  popularity  of  Marat  now  became  greater  than 
ever.  Much  as  he  desired  the  downfall  of  the  Gironde, 
the  issue  was  not  yet  sufficiently  assured  for  the 
timid  Robespierre  to  declare  himself  openly  in  favour 
of  a  forcible  purification  of  the  Assembly ;  whilst 
Danton,  from  more  honourable  motives,  was  also 
opposed  to  an  open  violation  of  the  national  repre- 
sentation. Marat,  therefore,  became  the  recognized 
head  of  the  movement  against  the  Girondist  Deputies. 
The  designs  of  the  conspirators  were  no  longer  dis- 
guised, and  Marat  presided  at  the  meetings  of  Sections 

173 


LOUVET 

where  resolutions  were  passed  declaring  that  the 
Convention  was  rotten  to  the  core  and  a  danger  to 
the  Republic  unless  it  were  speedily  subjected  to  a 
drastic  purification.  The  Commune,  the  Jacobin 
Club,  and  thirty-five  ot  the  forty-eight  Sections  of 
Paris  adopted  these  resolutions.  The  Commune 
declared  itself  in  a  permanent  state  of  insurrection, 
and  formally  demanded  the  expulsion  of  twenty-two 
of  the  leading  Girondist  members.  This  petition, 
which  was  prepared  at  a  meeting  of  delegates  of  the 
various  Revolutionary  Committees  sitting  at  the 
Hotel  de  Ville,  and  signed  by  Pache  the  Mayor, 
was  read  before  the  Convention  on  April  i5th  by 
Rousselin. 

The  proscribed  Deputies  were  Brissot,  Vergniaud, 
Louvet,  Guadet,  Gensonne,  Grangeneuve,  Buzot, 
Barbaroux,  Petion,  Salle,  Lanjuinais,  Valady,  Cham- 
bon,  Lanthenas,  Valaze,  Gorsas,  Fauchet,  Lasource, 
Hardy,  Birotteau,  Doulcet  and  Lehardy.  Im- 
mediately the  names  were  read  out  Boyer-Fonfr£de 
rose  with  the  words  :  "  If  it  were  not  that  modesty 
is  a  duty  in  a  public  man,  I  should  consider  it  an 
insult  that  my  name  has  been  omitted  from  the  list 
of  honour  which  has  just  been  laid  before  you." 
Thereupon,  the  members,  with  the  exception  of 
about  ninety  of  the  Mountaineers,  sprang  to  their 
feet  and  shouted  :  "  Put  us  all  down  !  " 

As  Pache  left  the  bar  to  return  to  his  seat,  Masuyer 
said  to  him  :  "  Do  you  not  think  you  could  find  a 
little  room  for  me  upon  your  list  ?  There  would  be 
a  hundred  crowns  for  yourself,  you  know."  Masuyer 
afterwards  paid  for  his  little  joke  with  his  life. 

174 


LOUVET 

Amid  the  ferocious  threats  of  the  Mountain  and 
the  yelling  of  the  mob  in  the  galleries,  Vergniaud  now 
rose  to  move  that  the  petition  be  declared  calum- 
nious, and  his  eloquence  snatched  victory  from  the 
opportunists  who  held  the  balance  between  the  rival 
parties  and  were  known  as  the  Plain.  Towards  mid- 
night the  majority  of  the  Girondists  left  the  house, 
and  in  their  absence  the  petitioners,  on  the  motion  of 
the  younger  Robespierre,  were  awarded  the  honours 
of  the  sitting. 

The  Commune  now  usurped  all  the  powers  of  sove- 
reignty. It  imposed  a  forced  loan  on  the  rich,  drew 
up  lists  of  suspected  persons  to  be  imprisoned,  and 
raised  an  army  of  sans-culottes,  armed  with  pikes 
and  muskets  at  the  expense  of  the  victims  of  its 
tyranny.  Meanwhile,  the  Central  Committee  of  In- 
surrection, which,  since  March  3ist,  had  held  regular 
meetings  at  the  old  Episcopal  Palace,  was  steadily 
perfecting  a  fresh  plan  for  the  overthrow  of  the 
Girondists.  This  assembly  now  styled  itself  the 
Central  Committee  of  Public  Safety,  and  from 
the  time  of  Marat's  acquittal  rapidly  superseded  the 
Council-General  of  the  Commune  as  the  centre  of  the 
movement  against  the  Convention.  The  leaders 
of  this  seditious  assembly  were  Dobsent,  Varlet  and 
Dufourny,  the  damned  souls  of  Marat  and  Hebert. 

The  Commune  made  but  a  feeble  resistance  to  the 
imperious  demands  of  these  men  ;  and  when  Pache 
was  summoned  to  the  bar  of  the  Convention  to  give 
an  account  of  the  meetings  of  the  Revolutionary 
Committees,  which  had  met  under  his  presidency  at 
the  Hotel  de  Ville,  he  had  the  audacity  to  confirm 

175 


LOUVET 

Garat's  statement  as  to  the  falsity  of  the  rumoured 
plot  against  the  national  representation. 

But  in  spite  of  these  treacherous  assurances  a 
plan  was  formed  to  arrest  the  twenty-two  Deputies 
as  they  left  the  Assembly  on  the  night  of  May  20th 
to  2ist,  when  it  was  proposed  to  take  them  to  an 
isolated  house,  specially  engaged  for  the  purpose, 
situated  in  the  Faubourg  Montmartre.  Each  victim 
as  he  arrived  was  then  to  be  pushed  into  an 
inner  room,  where  hired  assassins  were  stationed 
to  murder  him.  The  corpse  was  then  to  be  passed 
out  and  buried  in  a  great  hole  which  had 
already  been  dug  in  the  adjoining  garden.  On  the 
morrow  it  was  to  be  publicly  announced  that  the 
missing  Deputies  had  emigrated  ;  and,  at  the  same 
time,  a  traitorous  correspondence  with  Cobourg, 
forged  for  the  occasion  and  bearing  the  signatures  of 
the  victims,  was  to  be  discovered  and  made  public. 
It  was  not  enough  to  murder  them,  they  must  also  be 
calumniated.  But  this  time  the  plot  miscarried,  and 
some  of  the  incriminating  documents,  signed  by 
Pache  and  other  ringleaders,  fell  into  the  hands  of 
the  Girondists  Bergoeing  and  Rabaut  Saint-Etienne. 

Guadet  denounced  these  conspiracies  in  the  Con- 
vention, and  proposed  that  the  Commune  of  Paris 
should  be  abolished  and  a  new  municipality  appointed 
in  its  stead,  and  that  the  substitute  members  of  the 
Convention,  whom  it  was  customary  to  elect  at  the 
same  time  as  the  regular  Deputies,  to  supply  vacancies 
as  they  occurred,  should,  if  necessary,  be  convened 
to  form  a  fresh  National  Assembly,  holding  its  sittings 
at  Bourges.  This  drastic  measure  was  strenuously 

176 


LOUVET 

opposed  by  the  Mountain,  supported  by  the  Plain, 
and  on  the  motion  of  Bardre,  it  was  ultimately 
decided  to  appoint  a  committee  of  twelve  members 
to  inquire  into  the  conduct  of  the  Commune  and 
to  present  a  report  on  the  alleged  plots  against 
members  of  the  Convention.  The  new  committee, 
which  was  composed  almost  entirely  of  Girondists, 
was  appointed  on  May  aoth,  and  at  once  began 
operations  by  ordering  the  arrest  of  Michel  and 
Marino,  two  administrators  of  police,  who  had  taken 
a  conspicuous  part  in  the  seditious  assemblies  at  the 
Episcopal  Palace  and  at  the  Hotel  de  Ville,  and  by 
sending  Hebert,  the  Deputy  Procureur  de  la  Commune, 
to  the  Abbaye  Prison  for  the  publication  of  an  article 
in  his  paper,  the  Pere  Duchesne,  accusing  the  Giron- 
dists of  attempting  to  stir  up  a  Departmental  war 
against  Paris. 

On  May  25th  a  deputation  from  the  Council- 
General  of  the  Commune  waited  on  the  Convention 
to  protest  against  the  arrest  of  Hebert  and  his  asso- 
ciates, and  demanded  in  the  most  peremptory  terms 
their  instant  release.  They  were  sternly  rebuked 
by  Isnard,  who  presided  at  the  sitting. 

"  France,"  said  he,  "  has  made  this  Assembly  the 
centre  of  its  national  representation,  and  if  ever  you 
raise  sacrilegious  hands  against  that  representation, 
I  solemnly  declare  to  you,  in  the  name  of  the  whole 
country,  that  Paris  shall  be  utterly  destroyed,  and 
travellers  shall  ask  on  which  side  of  the  Seine  the 
famous  city  stood." 

This  speech  so  exasperated  the  Mountain  and  the 
people  in  the  galleries,  that  Isnard  was  compelled  to 

177  12 


LOUVET 

retire  from  the  presidency.  He  was  succeeded  by 
Herault  de  Sechelles,  a  man  of  noble  birth  and  a 
famous  beau,  who  in  the  early  days  of  the  Revolution 
had  surprised  his  elegant  friends  by  suddenly  throw- 
ing up  a  high  official  post  and  embracing  the  opinions 
of  the  extreme  democratic  party.  Herault  replied  to 
the  petitioners  with  exemplary  docility.  At  a  late 
hour  the  same  night  it  was  decreed  that  the  patriots 
imprisoned  by  order  of  the  Committee  of  Twelve 
should  be  released,  and  that  the  Committee  itself 
should  be  abolished.  This  decree  was  obtained  when 
most  of  the  Girondists  had  left  the  house. 

On  the  following  day  the  Girondists  at  once  revoked 
the  decree  of  the  preceding  night,  and  reinstated  the 
Committee  of  Twelve.  This  action  raised  a  fearful 
commotion,  and  their  enemies  resolved  on  a  fresh 
insurrection,  with  the  avowed  object  of  overthrowing 
what  they  were  pleased  to  call  the  tyranny  of  the 
Committee,  whose  activity  they  had  cause  to  dread, 
but  with  the  ulterior  design  of  encompassing  the 
destruction  of  the  Girondists.  May  3ist  was  fixed 
for  the  execution  of  their  plans.  Delegates  of  thirty- 
three  of  the  Sections  of  Paris,  in  conjunction  with  the 
Central  Committee  of  Public  Safety,  held  a  secret 
meeting  at  the  Episcopal  Palace  to  appoint  a  Com- 
mission of  nine  members  to  carry  out  all  the  measures 
agreed  upon ;  these  men  were  the  creatures  of  Marat 
and  Hebert.  This  Committee  claimed  to  have 
been  endowed  with  plenary  powers  by  the  will  of  the 
sovereign  people.  It  declared  Paris  to  be  in  a  state 
of  insurrection,  ordered  the  tocsin  to  be  rung  and  the 
barriers  to  be  closed ;  it  then  caused  the  Mayor  and 

178 


LOUVET 

the  entire  Council- General  of  the  Commune  to 
abdicate  their  functions,  and  upon  their  submission 
immediately  reinstated  them.  In  future  the  Com- 
mission of  Nine  held  its  meetings  at  the  Hotel  de 
Ville.  The  insurrectionary  Commune  now  remem- 
bered the  distinguished  services  of  Henriot,  com- 
mandant of  the  battalion  of  the  Sans-culotte  Section, 
during  the  September  prison  massacres,  to  reward 
them  by  appointing  him  commander-in-chief  of  the 
National  Guard,  in  succession  to  Santerre,  who  had 
recently  been  ordered  to  La  Vendee.  It  was  also 
decreed  that  forty  sous  a  day  should  be  paid  to  all 
patriots  serving  in  the  ranks. 

On  the  night  of  May  30-31  the  outlook  was  so 
threatening  that  Louvet  and  five  of  his  friends  again 
deemed  it  prudent  to  sleep  away  from  home.  In  a 
remote  quarter  of  the  town  they  found  a  room  with 
only  three  beds,  but  well  situated  from  a  defensive 
point  of  view  in  case  of  attack,  where  they  decided 
to  pass  the  night.  Louvet's  companions  were  Buzot, 
Barbaroux,  Guadet,  Bergoeing,  and  Rabaut  Saint- 
Etienne.  They  were  awakened  at  three  o'clock  in 
the  morning  by  the  sound  of  the  tocsin.  At  six 
o'clock,  after  arming  themselves  with  swords  and 
pistols,  they  cautiously  ventured  out  into  the  street 
and  made  their  way  to  the  Convention.  Near  the 
Tuileries  (where,  since  the  loth  of  the  month,  the 
Assembly  held  its  sittings)  they  were  recognized  by  a 
mob  of  sans-culottes,  who  made  a  show  of  attacking 
them  ;  but  on  seeing  their  arms  they  thought  better 
of  it  and  made  off.  During  the  journey  across  Paris, 

179  12* 


LOUVET 

Rabaut  Saint-6tienne  was  greatly  agitated,  and  at 
intervals  repeated  the  words,  "  Ilia  supremo,  dies !  " 
But  his  time  was  not  yet  come,  though  Louvet  never 
saw  him  again. 

On  entering  the  hall,  they  found  three  members  of 
the  Mountain  there  before  them.  Turning  to  Guadet 
and  pointing  to  Danton,  Louvet  said  :  "  See  what  a 
horrible  hope  shines  on  that  hideous  face  !  "  "  It 
is  no  doubt  to-day,"  cried  Guadet,  "  that  Clodius 
drives  Cicero  into  exile  !  "  Danton  answered  them 
with  an  enigmatical  grin.  They  failed  to  see  that 
Danton  was  not  one  of  their  worst  enemies  until  it 
was  too  late. 

During  the  night  the  most  extraordinary  measures 
had  been  taken  to  prevent  the  flight  of  the  threatened 
Deputies.  Every  military  guard  had  been  doubled  ; 
sentries  had  been  set  to  watch  the  post-houses  ;  the 
barriers  had  been  closed  and  all  external  communica- 
tion cut  off.  Warrants  were  out  for  the  arrest  of 
Lebrun,  late  Minister  for  Foreign  Affairs,  and  Clavi&re, 
Minister  of  Finance. 

The  sitting  began  at  half -past  six.*  A  deputation 
from  the  Council-General  of  the  Commune  was  ad- 
mitted to  the  bar,  which  announced  that  it  had  dis- 
covered a  great  plot  ;  but  that  the  people  had  risen 
to  destroy  the  conspirators.  It  next  enumerated  the 
measures  which  had  been  taken  to  ensure  the  public 
safety,  and  called  upon  the  Convention  to  pay  the 

*  Mallet  du  Pan  appears  to  have  hit  on  the  reason  why  the 
Convention  assembled  at  such  early  and  irregular  hours  when  he 
says  :  "  Toute  la  Revolution  est  et  sera  jusqu'au  bout  une  suite 
de  coups  de  mains  ;  1'avantage  restera  done  a  celui  qui  gagne  ses 
adversaires  d'une  minute." 

180 


LOUVET 

forty  sous  a  day  which  the  Commune  had  already 
promised  to  patriot  volunteers.  At  this  point  Guadet 
rushed  to  the  tribune.  "  The  Commune,"  said  he, 
"  has  surely  made  a  slight  mistake  in  the  choice  of 
a  word  :  it  evidently  means  that  it  has  '  undertaken/ 
not  '  discovered,'  a  plot !  " 

These  words  occasioned  a  frightful  uproar.  When 
the  tumult  had  at  length  subsided,  the  question  was 
put  to  the  vote.  The  result  was  a  triumph  for  the 
rioters.  The  Convention  weakly  submitted  to  the 
dictation  of  the  Commune  and  resolved  to  adopt  all 
its  recommendations. 

A  joint  deputation  from  the  Parisian  Sections, 
Department,  and  Commune,  next  appeared  at  the 
bar,  demanding  the  impeachment  of  the  late  Ministers, 
Roland,  Lebrun  and  Clavi£re,  the  Committee  of 
Twelve,  and  the  twenty-two  Deputies  already  de- 
nounced by  the  Commune.  The  petitioners  were 
awarded  the  honours  of  the  sitting.  At  this  good 
news  the  rabble  in  the  galleries  could  contain  them- 
selves no  longer,  but  swarmed  over  into  the  body  of 
the  hall,  and  made  the  house  ring  with  their  cheers. 
Several  of  the  Girondists  rose  to  protest  against  this 
unseemly  behaviour.  "  The  Convention  is  no  longer 
free ! "  they  cried,  and  Vergniaud  proposed  that 
the  members  should  go  forth  to  claim  the  protection 
of  the  armed  men  outside.  This  was  opposed  by 
Robespierre,  who,  in  order  to  gain  time,  delivered  a 
long,  rambling  speech,  in  which  he  sought  still  more  to 
inflame  popular  passion  against  the  Girondists.  At 
length,  Barere,  speaking  on  behalf  of  the  Committee 
of  Public  Safety,  proposed  the  abolition  of  the 

181 


LOUVET 

obnoxious  Committee,  together  with  the  permanent 
requisition  of  the  public  forces,  and  at  the  same  time 
suggested  that  the  Committee  of  Public  Safety  and 
the  Commune  of  Paris  be  instructed  to  take  common 
measures  against  all  concerned  in  the  plots  which  had 
that  day  been  denounced  in  the  Convention.  Barere's 
proposals  were  adopted,  and  the  sitting,  which  had 
lasted  for  sixteen  hours,  came  to  an  end. 

The  conspiracy  against  the  Girondists  had  again 
miscarried,  although  their  enemies  affected  to  have 
achieved  their  object,  and  ordered  the  town  to  be 
illuminated  as  for  a  great  victory.  Yet  their  efforts 
had  not  been  wholly  in  vain,  for  in  this  first  great 
trial  of  strength  they  had  brought  the  Convention  to 
its  knees,  and  the  independence  of  that  body  was  now 
a  thing  of  the  past.  Their  project  for  the  destruction 
of  the  Gironde  was  for  a  time  deferred,  but  not  aban- 
doned. 


182 


CHAPTER  XVII 

Arrest  of  Mme.  Roland — Witticism  on  Roland's  flight — The 
threatened  Deputies  meet  for  the  last  time — Louvet  states  his 
views — He  joins  Lodoiska — A  terrible  night — Louvet  in  hiding 
— Insurrection  of  June  2nd — The  Convention  imprisoned  by  the 
mob — The  Assembly  seeks  the  protection  of  the  soldiers,  but  is 
driven  back — Thirty-one  Girondists  placed  under  arrest — Letter 
from  Barbaroux — Why  they  refused  to  escape — Downfall  of  the 
Girondists — Their  eloquence — General  view  of  the  feud  between 
the  Mountain  and  the  Gironde. 

AS  Louvet  entered  the  hall  of  the  Assembly  on 
the  following  day  he  was  pained  to  hear  that 
his  and  Lodoiska's  friend,  Madame  Roland,  had 
been  arrested  by  order  of  the  Commune.  Her  hus- 
band had  made  good  his  escape.  "  His  body  is 
indeed  missing,"  said  a  wag,  "  but  he  has  left  his 
soul  behind  him."  This  news  convinced  even  the 
most  sanguine  of  the  Girondists  that  their  downfall 
was  now  only  a  matter  of  time.  That  day  Louvet 
engaged  all  the  threatened  Deputies  to  meet  at 
Meillan's  house  in  the  Rue  des  Moulins.*  It  was 
the  last  occasion  on  which  they  dined  together.  They 
were  considering  what  action  to  take  in  the  grave 
crisis  which  had  arisen,  when  the  mad  clangour  of 
the  tocsin  arose  on  all  sides.  Immediately  afterwards 
a  breathless  messenger  burst  into  the  room  to  tell 
Brissot  that  the  seals  were  put  on  all  their  houses. 
Fearful  lest  his  enemies  should  arrest  Lodoiska 

*  Meillan  (A.,)  Mtmoires. 
183 


LOUVET 

during  his  absence,  Louvet  briefly  explained  to  his 
friends  what  he  considered  to  be  the  only  course  of 
action  left  open  to  them.  "  Since  the  Mountain  and 
the  ruffians  in  the  galleries,"  said  he,  "  are  determined 
to  prevent  us  from  speaking  in  our  own  defence,  there 
is  no  useful  purpose  to  be  served  by  our  attendance 
at  the  Convention.  Why  give  our  enemies  the  op- 
portunity of  seizing  their  prey  at  one  stroke  ?  Nor 
can  we  hope  to  do  anything  in  Paris,  dominated  as 
it  is  by  the  terror  inspired  by  the  conspirators  who 
have  usurped  the  constituted  authority  and  made 
themselves  masters  of  the  forces  of  the  State.  France 
can  be  saved  only  by  a  Departmental  insurrection. 
We  ought,  therefore,  to  seek  without  delay  a  safe 
retreat  for  to-night,  and  during  to-morrow  and  the 
following  days  leave  Paris,  one  by  one,  as  the  oppor- 
tunity occurs,  and  reunite  either  at  Bordeaux  or  in 
Calvados,  where  a  movement  against  our  tyrants 
has  already  manifested  itself.  Above  all,  we  must 
not  return  to  the  Convention,  for  the  Mountain  would 
seize  on  us  as  hostages." 

It  was  a  wise  counsel.  To  return  to  the  Convention 
after  its  integrity  had  been  violated  was  a  fatal 
mistake.  The  people  of  the  Departments  had  for 
long  complained  with  reason  of  the  supremacy  of 
Paris,  and  of  the  favours  so  lavished  upon  its  in- 
habitants. 

All  the  contracts  for  the  equipment  and  the 
provisioning  of  the  armies  went  to  Paris.  Huge 
sums  were  expended  to  feed  its  poor,  to  liquidate  its 
debts,  to  provide  work  for  its  unemployed,  and  to 
induce  its  citizens  to  enlist  in  the  Civil  Guard.  But 

184 


LOUVET 

the  provinces  were  neglected.  Was  their  patriotic 
zeal,  then,  to  be  maintained  solely  by  their  love  of 
liberty  ?  They  were  tired  of  starving  themselves 
that  Paris  might  be  fed.  It  needed  but  this  last 
outrage  on  their  chosen  representatives  to  arouse 
them  to  fury.  The  provinces  were  ripe  for  revolt. 
But  so  long  as  they  saw  members  of  the  proscribed 
party  still  sitting  in  the  Convention  and  taking  part 
in  its  deliberations,  they  naturally  thought  that  the 
alarming  rumours  emanating  from  the  capital  were 
exaggerated,  and  that  the  national  representation 
was  still  intact.  Under  this  impression  their  indig- 
nation gradually  abated. 

Whether  it  was  that  the  desperate  remedy  of  civil 
war  was  abhorrent  to  them,  or  that  they  still  deceived 
themselves  as  to  their  inviolability  as  representatives 
of  the  people,  many  of  the  guests,  including  Brissot, 
Vergniaud,  Gensonne",  Mainvielle,  and  Valaze,  re- 
mained unconvinced  by  Louvet's  arguments.  They 
were  still  deep  in  the  discussion  when  Louvet  quitted 
them  to  fly  to  the  aid  of  Lodoi'ska  in  peril. 

Happily  the  man  who  had  so  abruptly  broken  in 
upon  their  deliberations  had  given  a  false  alarm,  and 
Louvet  found  her  in  safety.  She  refused,  however,  to 
leave  her  house  until  she  was  assured  that  he  would 
not  return  thither.  She  then  went  out  to  seek  the 
mother  of  Barbaroux,  to  take  her  to  a  place  of  safety 
in  the  house  of  one  of  Louvet's  relatives.  Here 
the  two  women  passed  a  terrible  night.  At  every 
moment  the  air  was  rent  with  the  wild  ringing  of  the 
alarm  bells  and  the  thunder  of  the  drums  beating  the 
general  call  to  arms ;  and  they  turned  sick  with 


LOUVET 

fear  as  they  heard  the  savage  cries  of  the  mob  yelling 
for  the  heads  of  those  dear  to  them.  In  an  agony  of 
terror  for  her  son,  the  mother  of  Barbaroux  moaned 
in  despair,  and  from  time  to  time  fell  at  full  length 
in  a  dead  faint.  "  We  rear  them  fine  men,"  she 
cried,  "  and  as  soon  as  they  reach  maturity  the 
wretches  cut  their  throats !  "  With  dry  eyes  and  a 
stricken  heart  Lodoi'ska  braced  herself  to  comfort  her 
friend.  Her  hair  turned  grey  in  that  single  night ! 

Louvet,  however,  had  succeeded  in  reaching  the 
house  of  his  friends  in  safety,  where  for  a  fortnight 
he  remained  in  strict  concealment,  watching  for  an 
opportunity  of  escaping  from  Paris. 

Meanwhile,  the  agitators  were  busily  preparing 
their  plans  for  the  consummation  of  the  plot,  which 
on  the  3ist  had  temporarily  miscarried.  The  whole 
of  June  ist  was  devoted  to  fomenting  the  insur- 
rection, and  in  perfecting  the  measures  which  it 
was  determined  to  put  into  execution  on  the  fol- 
lowing day,  Sunday,  June  2nd.  Full  executive 
powers  for  the  insurrection  were  invested  in  a  com- 
mittee appointed  by  the  Revolutionary  assembly  of  the 
Eveche,  and  the  services  of  Henriot  and  the  whole 
of  his  command  were  placed  at  its  disposal.  Lastly, 
in  order  that  there  should  be  no  slackness  on  the 
part  of  the  National  Guards,  many  of  whom  had 
shown  a  disposition  to  side  with  the  Convention  on 
the  3ist,  several  battalions  of  furious  sans-culottes, 
stationed  at  Courbevoie  and  other  towns,  awaiting 
orders  to  proceed  to  La  Vendee,  were  recalled  to  the 
capital. 

By  ten  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  June  2nd  the  Con- 

186 


LOUVET 

vention  was  surrounded  by  eighty  thousand  armed 
men,  under  the  command  of  Henriot.  Every  seat 
on  the  Mountain  was  occupied,  and  the  galleries 
were  packed  to  suffocation.  The  disappointment 
was  great  when  it  was  found  that  only  three  of  the 
leading  Girondists — Barbaroux,  Lanjuinais  and  Isnard 
— were  in  their  places. 

A  deceptive  calm  characterized  the  first  part  of 
the  sitting,  during  which  the  Mountaineers  sought  to 
win  over  the  Plain,  and  were  naturally  anxious  not 
to  shock  them  by  violent  propositions  until  they 
were  quite  sure  of  their  ground.  It  was  not  until 
a  deputation  from  "  the  constituted  Revolutionary 
authorities  of  the  Department  of  Paris "  was  an- 
nounced that  the  storm  began. 

Before  the  speaker  could  say  a  word,  Lanjuinais 
dashed  up  the  steps  of  the  tribune,  and  moved  that 
these  self-constituted  Revolutionary  authorities  be 
forthwith  abolished ;  that  all  their  acts  during  the 
past  three  days  be  annulled,  and  that  all  who  arro- 
gated to  themselves  an  authority  contrary  to  the 
law  be  put  beyond  the  pale  of  the  law.  "  Get  down 
from  the  tribune,  or  I  will  fell  thee !  "  cried  the 
butcher  Legendre,  making  a  motion  characteristic  of 
his  trade.  "  First  let  Legendre  get  it  decreed  that 
I  am  an  ox,"  answered  the  fearless  Lanjuinais. 
Several  Mountaineers,  led  by  Legendre  and  the  younger 
Robespierre,  armed  with  pistols,  forced  their  way 
into  the  tribune,  and  attempted  to  drag  the  orator 
down ;  but  by  clinging  desperately  to  the  cornice, 
Lanjuinais  succeeded  in  maintaining  his  position. 
The  rabble  in  the  galleries  screamed  with  delight  at 

187 


LOUVET 

the  tussle,  whilst  the  Plain  cried  shame  on  the  dis- 
graceful scene.  The  President  put  on  his  hat  by 
way  of  protest.  "  This  conduct  fills  me  with  pain," 
he  said,  when  some  sort  of  order  was  at  length  re- 
stored ;  "if  you  persist  in  such  unseemly  violence, 
Liberty  will  inevitably  perish."  The  leaders  of  the 
attack  on  the  Girondist  orator  were  then  severely 
rebuked,  and  Lanjuinais  calmly  proceeded.  The 
Convention  next  granted  audience  to  the  depu- 
tation. 

"  Representatives  of  the  people,"  said  Hassenfratz,* 
the  spokesman,  "  the  forty-eight  Sections  of  Paris  and 
the  constituted  authorities  of  the  Department  have 
come  to  demand  the  impeachment  of  the  Committee 
of  Twelve,  the  men  who  are  in  league  with  Dumouriez, 
the  men  who  are  inciting  the  people  of  the  provinces 
to  march  on  Paris.  For  four  days  the  inhabitants 
of  Paris  have  been  under  arms.  This  counter- 
revolution must  come  to  an  end  ;  all  the  conspirators, 
without  exception,  must  be  brought  to  the  scaffold. 
The  crimes  of  the  factions  in  the  Convention  are 
known  to  you  ;  we  come  for  the  last  time  to  denounce 
them  to  you ;  we  demand  that  without  further  delay 
you  decree  them  guilty  and  unworthy  the  confidence 
of  the  nation.  Patriots,  you  have  often  saved  the 
country ;  we  demand  that  you  deal  with  these 
traitors ;  the  people  are  weary  of  your  postponing 
their  welfare ;  they  are  still  in  your  governance ; 
save  them,  or  they  will  save  themselves." 

*  The  appropriate  nom  de  guerre  under  which  Le  Lievre  sought 
to  hide  a  tattered  reputation.  For  more  of  this  worthy,  see 
Dumouriez'  Mftnoires. 

188 


LOUVET 

The  President  mildly  reproved  the  tone  of  this 
discourse,  but,  nevertheless,  invited  the  petitioners 
to  share  the  honours  of  the  sitting.  But  they  were 
in  no  mood  for  cajolery  and  flatly  refused.  At  this 
juncture  the  resourceful  Barere  sought  to  effect  a 
compromise.  Speaking  in  the  name  of  the  Com- 
mittee of  Public  Safety,  he  urged  the  accused  Deputies 
to  submit  to  a  voluntary  ostracism  for  the  good  of 
the  country.  Isnard,  Lanthenas  and  Dusaulx  agreed 
to  this  proposal. 

"  I  think  I  have  shown  some  courage  hitherto," 
said  Lanjuinais,  "  and  you  can  expect  from  me 
neither  suspension  nor  resignation." 

He  was  interrupted  by  furious  cries,  but  steadily 
wearing  down  the  opposition,  he  imperturbably 
proceeded :  "It  was  the  custom  in  barbarous 
countries  to  lead  the  victims  of  the  human  sacrifices 
to  the  stake  crowned  with  flowers,  but  never  have  I 
heard  that  priests  and  spectators  were  allowed  to 
insult  them !  .  .  .  Abolish  immediately  every 
authority  unrecognized  by  the  law  ;  have  the  courage 
to  enforce  your  will,  which  is  the  will  of  the  people, 
and  you  will  soon  see  the  agitators  abandoned  by 
the  citizens  whom  they  have  led  astray ;  unless  you 
do  this,  I  say,  Liberty  is  lost.  I  see  civil  war,  which 
is  already  kindled,  spreading  on  every  side ;  I  see 
the  fearful  monster  of  militarism  and  tyranny  stalk- 
ing to  and  fro  in  the  land,  amid  heaps  of  corpses  and 
smoking  ruins  ;  and  at  last  I  see  the  overthrow  of 
the  Republic  itself."  Barbaroux  next  rose  to  sup- 
port Lanjuinais'  motion.  "  I  have  sworn  to  die  at 
my  post."  he  said,  "  and  I  will  keep  my  oath."  But 

189 


LOUVET 

this  was  not  enough  for  the  Mountain ;  Robespierre 
and  his  clique,  as  D  ant  on  said,  were  thirsty  and 
wanted  blood.  "  What !  "  screamed  Marat.  "  Are 
we  to  allow  the  guilty  the  honour  of  self-devotion  ? 
To  offer  sacrifices  to  his  country,  a  man  must  be  pure  ; 
it  is  to  me  alone,  a  real  martyr  of  liberty,  that  devo- 
tion is  appropriate.  I  offer,  therefore,  my  suspen- 
sion from  the  moment  you  decree  the  arrest  of  the 
accused  Deputies."  Billaud-Varennes  and  Chabot 
were  equally  magnanimous. 

At  this  moment  Lacroix  burst  into  the  hall,  in  the 
greatest  disorder,  to  complain  that  he  had  been  in- 
sulted and  roughly  handled  by  a  sentinel  who  had 
refused  to  allow  him  to  leave  the  building.  It  was 
now  discovered  that  all  the  posts  had  been  changed, 
and  that  strange  guards  had  been  stationed  at  all 
the  issues  with  strict  orders  to  prevent  any  Deputy 
from  leaving.  The  Convention  was  imprisoned.  For 
the  moment  several  of  the  Mountaineers  joined  in  the 
indignant  protests  of  the  Plain  and  the  Gironde 
against  this  outrage.  Just  as  if  this  was  the  first 
time  it  had  tamely  submitted  to  outrage  !  Barere, 
the  man  of  expedients,  again  came  to  the  rescue  by 
moving  that  the  Convention  should  suspend  its  sitting, 
march  out  of  the  hall  in  a  body,  and  endeavour  to 
recall  the  armed  forces  arrayed  against  them  to  a 
sense  of  their  duty.  This  motion  was  supported  by 
Danton  and  was  adopted. 

Herault-Se"chelles,  the  President,  then  put  on  his 
hat  and,  followed  by  the  members  of  the  Convention 
bareheaded,  descended  the  grand  staircase,  crossed 
the  vestibule,  and  led  the  way  to  the  gate  opening 

190 


LOUVET 

on  the  Place  du  Carrousel.  Before  they  had  pro- 
ceeded many  paces  the  representatives  were  met  by 
Henriot  mounted  on  a  charger.  "  What  do  the 
people  want  ?  "  asked  the  President.  "  The  Con- 
vention is  solely  occupied  in  promoting  their  welfare." 
"  Herault,"  replied  Henriot,  "  the  people  have  not 
risen  to  be  put  off  with  idle  phrases.  They  demand 
that  the  guilty  Deputies  be  delivered  up  to  them !  " 
And  when  the  members  attempted  to  pass  out, 
"  Artillerymen,  to  your  guns !  "  shouted  Henriot, 
and  the  humiliated  Assembly  hastily  retreated.  They 
tried  all  the  outlets  in  succession,  only  to  find  them- 
selves shut  off  by  bands  of  armed  sans-culottes.  Mean- 
while Marat  hurried  from  post  to  post,  encouraging 
the  resistance  of  the  soldiers.  "  No  weakness,"  he 
cried.  "  Hold  firm  until  they  are  delivered  up !  " 
Finding  that  all  means  of  egress  were  denied  them, 
the  representatives  returned  to  the  hall  of  the  Con- 
vention amid  shouts  of  "  Long  live  Marat !  "  "  Long 
live  the  Mountain  !  "  "  Down  with  the  Brissotins  !  " 

Couthon,  the  paralytic,  was  now  carried  into  the 
tribune  to  demand  that  the  vote  should  be  taken  ; 
and  it  was  decreed  that  the  members  of  the  Committee 
of  Twelve,  the  twenty-two  denounced  Deputies,  and 
the  two  Ministers  should  be  placed  under  arrest  in 
their  own  houses. 

Legendre  proposed  to  erase  from  the  list  of  the 
twenty-two  the  names  of  Boyer-Fonfrede  and  Saint- 
Martin  Valogne,  who  had  opposed  the  arbitrary 
arrest  of  Dobsent  and  Hebert ;  whilst  Marat  de- 
manded that  the  names  of  Lanthenas,  Dusaulx  and 
Ducos  should  be  struck  out,  because  the  first  was 

191 


LOUVET 

"  a  harmless  sort  of  lunatic,  Dusaulx  an  old  idiot, 
and  Ducos  an  empty-headed  youngster  who  had  been 
led  astray  by  intriguers."  He  suggested  that  the 
names  of  Valaze"  and  Defermon  should  be  inserted 
instead.  This  was  agreed  to,  and  the  decree  was 
passed  without  further  discussion.  In  all  thirty-one 
members  were  ordered  to  be  placed  under  the  guard 
of  one  gendarme  each  in  his  own  house. 

On  the  morrow  the  intrepid  Barbaroux  wrote  the 
following  letter  to  his  colleagues  in  the  Con- 
vention : — 

"  PARIS,  the  3  June,  1793.  Year  2  of  the  Republic 
One  and  Indivisible. 

"  To  the  National  Convention. 

"  Charles  Barbaroux,  Deputy  of  the  Department  of  the 
Bouches-du-Rh&ne. 

"  CITIZENS,  MY  COLLEAGUES, 

"  Yesterday's  sitting  had  scarcely  terminated  than 
I  placed  myself  under  arrest  in  my  own  house,  in  accord- 
ance with  the  decree  of  the  National  Convention,  without 
examining  the  circumstances  under  which  it  had  been 
issued,  for  it  is  not  in  my  heart  to  add  to  the  ills  of  the 
Republic  the  greater  misfortune  of  an  internal  dis- 
sension. 

"  To-day,  the  administrators  of  the  police  of  Paris  have 
advised  me  of  an  order  which  appears  to  me  to  add  to  the 
provisions  of  the  decree.  I  submit  this  order  to  you, 
Citizens,  my  Colleagues,  together  with  my  reply,  and 
await  the  decision  of  the  law  to  obey. 

"  BARBAROUX." 
192 


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194 


LOUVET 

"  PARIS,  le  3  Juin,  1793.  L'an  2d  de  La  Republique 
une  et  indivisible. 

"  A  la  Convention  Nationale. 

"  Charles  Barbaroux,  Depute  par  Le  Departement  des 
Bouches-du-Rh6ne. 

"  ClTOYENS,  MES  COLLEGUES, — 

"  A  peine  la  Seance  d'hier  a-t-elle  ete  levee,  que 
je  me  suis  mis  moi  meme  en  arrestation  dans  mon  domicile, 
en  execution  du  decret  de  la  Convention  Nationale,  sans 
examiner  les  circonstances  dans  lesquelles  il  avait  ete  rendu, 
car  il  n'entre  pas  dans  mon  cosur  d'aj outer  aux  malheurs 
de  la  Republique  le  malheur  plus  grand  d'un  dechirement 
interieur. 

"  Aujourdhui  les  administrateurs  de  la  police  de  Paris 
m'ont  fait  signifier  un  ordre  qui  me  paroit  aj  outer  aux 
dispositions  du  decret.  Je  vous  remets  cet  ordre,  Citoyens, 
mes  Collegues,  ainsi  que  ma  reponse  et  j 'attends  que  la 
loi  prononce  pour  obeir. 

"  BARBAROUX." 

Almost  at  any  time  during  the  first  days  after  the 
passing  of  the  decree  it  would  have  been  easy  for 
the  Girondists  to  have  escaped,  but  many  of  them 
refused  to  make  the  attempt.  It  is  difficult  to 
understand  the  cause  of  this  apathy.  Perhaps  they 
believed,  with  Madame  Roland,  that  the  sight  of 
their  oppression  would  revolt  the  public  conscience, 
and  that  their  cause  would  be  better  served  by  their 
imprisonment  than  by  their  freedom.  A  woman's 
fallacy  which  cost  her  her  life  !  Ordinary  men  adore 
strength,  however  it  is  manifested,  and  are  seldom 
shocked  when  the  strong  claim  the  right  to  oppress 
the  weak.  So  far  from  arousing  the  indignation  of 

195  13* 


LOUVET 

the  public,  the  arrest  of  the  Girondists  set  people 
wondering  whether  there  might  not,  after  all,  be 
something  in  the  charges  brought  against  them. 

Thus  in  the  plenitude  of  their  powers  (for  scarcely 
one  of  them  had  reached  middle-age)  fell  the  men 
who  had  rendered  the  name  of  the  Gironde  im- 
mortal. 

All  those  whose  eloquence,  lofty  idealism,  and  nobility 
of  soul  had  shed  fresh  lustre  on  the  Revolutionary 
cause  were  ruthlessly  struck  down,  leaving  only  a 
pale  and  shattered  remnant  in  the  Convention  to  bear 
silent  witness  to  the  magnitude  of  its  loss.  It  was 
their  eloquence  and  their  generous  enthusiasm  which 
for  a  brief  space  gave  the  illusion  of  reality  to  such 
metaphysical  abstractions  as  the  liberty,  equality  and 
fraternity  of  their  day,  the  rights  of  man,  and  the 
sovereignty  of  the  people.  After  their  fall,  we  con- 
stantly hear  the  same  terms  in  the  mouths  of  their 
victorious  enemies,  but  now  they  leave  us  cold  and 
unmoved. 

It  is  not  till  then  we  realize  that  such  a  phrase 
as  "  burning  with  a  passionate  love  of  mankind " 
— a  phrase  which  they  one  and  all  never  tired  of 
using — is  really  devoid  of  meaning.  How  can  a 
single  person  feel  any  affection  for  the  anonymous 
and  vague  impersonality  of  so  vast  a  multitude  ? 
He  might  almost  as  well  talk  of  loving  the  Binomial 
Theorem !  But  when  they  said  it,  we  smiled  indul- 
gently and  heartily  wished  the  good  fellows  joy  of 
their  love,  for  it  was  pleasant  to  hear  them  talk. 
Much  of  what  they  said  was  "  nonsense,  perhaps," 
as  Lady  Saphir  remarked  of  Mr.  Reginald  Bunthorne's 

196 


LOUVET 

latest    lyrical    effusion ;     "  but,    oh,    what    precious 
nonsense !  " 

It  was  this  eloquence  of  theirs  which  led  them  into 
one  of  the  gravest  faults  with  which  we  have  to 
reproach  them — I  mean  their  deplorable  license  of 
language.  Even  Madame  Roland  was  guilty  of 
using  terms  in  relation  to  the  unhappy  Queen  which 
ought  never  to  have  sullied  her  lips — terms  of  which, 
I  believe,  she  lived  to  repent.  For  who  shall  deny 
that  the  memory  of  the  cruel  words  she  had  spoken 
of  that  other  mother  in  distress  recurred  to  her  with 
bitter  self-reproach  as  she  stood  at  the  window  of 
her  prison,  silently  weeping  at  the  thought  of  her 
own  little  Eudora,  who  was  so  soon  to  be  thrown 
motherless  and  fatherless  on  the  mercy  of  a  heartless 
world  ? 

This  abuse  of  invective  has  done  them  irreparable 
harm.  But  to  judge  them  by  their  words  apart  from 
their  actions  is  unjust,  since  nothing  is  more  charac- 
teristic of  them  than  an  incapacity  for  seeing  facts 
behind  words.  It  is  true  that  the  Mountaineers  were 
not  more  addicted  to  violent  language  than  they 
were  ;  but  it  is  also  true  that  when  they  saw  others 
carry  their  words  into  action,  they  drew  back  in 
horror,  and  they  fell  because  they  protested  against 
the  growing  tendency  to  confound  progress  with 
disorder,  liberty  with  license,  and  the  Revolution  with 
the  Terror. 

So,  in  this  long  and  bitter  warfare  "  of  the  passions 
armed  with  principles,"  the  Mountain  had  at  last  won 
the  victory.  It  was  the  triumph,  not  of  a  principle, 
but  of  a  group  of  men  over  their  political  opponents. 

197 


LOUVET 

Not  the  least  tragic  part  of  the  situation  lay  in  the 
fact  that  the  principles  of  the  rival  parties  were  at 
bottom  identical. 

Danton,  who  possessed  the  clearest  head  and  the 
most  practical  mind  of  all  the  Revolutionary  leaders, 
perceived  this  from  the  first,  and  never  wearied  of 
advocating  those  mutual  concessions  by  which  they 
might  have  lived  together  in  peace. 

But  though  you  may  undertake  the  reformation  of  a 
scoundrel  with  some  hope  of  success,  it  is  futile  to 
attempt  the  conversion  of  a  philosopher.  Danton's 
efforts  were  in  vain.  Yet,  in  spite  of  their  mutual 
recriminations,  they  both  had  the  welfare  of  their 
country  at  heart.  The  Mountaineers  were  no  less 
sincere  Republicans  than  were  the  Girondists  ;  and 
they  both  had  that  pathetic  and  child-like  faith  in 
the  infinite  perfectibility  of  the  human  race.  The 
difference  was  not  one  of  principles,  but  a  congenital 
and  temperamental  one.  As  some  men  are  attracted 
to  a  party  by  their  virtues,  others  are  attracted  by 
their  vices.  There  never  has  been  an  accredited 
political  party  devoid  of  all  true  principle,  or 
which  did  not  respond  to  some  legitimate 
human  aspiration.  Nor,  on  the  other  hand,  has 
there  ever  been  one  which  could  not  be  twisted 
into  serving  as  a  pretext,  a  refuge,  or  a  hope 
for  some  of  the  baser  passions  of  our  nature.  The 
humane  man — and  there  were  such  among  the  Moun- 
taineers no  less  than  among  the  Girondists — brought 
his  heart  and  his  intelligence  to  the  service  of  his 
faith ;  the  tiger,  his  teeth  and  his  claws.  It  was 
the  same  faith  working  in  different  natures  which 

198 


LOUVET 

produced  a  Savonarola  and  a  Torquemada,  a  Con- 
dorcet  and  a  Robespierre. 

The  Mountaineers  believed  virtue  and  truth  to  lie 
in  extremes,  and  all  who  refused  to  follow  them  in 
the  path  of  violence  and  excess  they  accused  of  being 
half-hearted  and  insincere.  They  never  understood 
that  every  honestly  held  opinion  contains  some  por- 
tion of  truth,  and  that  with  a  few  mutual  concessions 
the  opinions  of  all  honest  men  are  pretty  much  alike. 
But  with  the  obstinacy  of  ignorant  men,  they  clung 
to  the  belief  that  they  alone  had  found  the  truth.  In 
this,  of  course,  they  were  mistaken.  It  is  not  given 
to  men  to  look  upon  naked  Truth  and  live.  She  is 
too  dazzling  a  divinity  for  mortal  eyes  to  bear. 

The  Girondists,  on  the  other  hand,  sought  a  middle 
path  between  the  Terror  and  the  Monarchy — a 
government  by  which  a  free  and  united  people  should 
be  allowed  to  develop  to  the  utmost  its  energies  in 
every  sphere  of  human  activity,  with  the  least  possible 
interference  of  the  State.  They  failed  to  find  it  ; 
and  so,  like  the  Sphinx  of  the  fable,  to  adapt  Rivarol's 
phrase,  the  Revolution  devoured  them  because  they 
failed  to  interpret  her  enigmas. 


199 


CHAPTER  XVIII 

Buzot  and  Barbaroux  escape  to  Caen — A  letter  from  Barbaroux — 
Generosity  of  Valaze — A  common  error  rectified — Mme.  Goussard 
— Lodoiska  bears  letters  from  Mme.  Roland  to  Buzot — Louvet 
and  Lodoiska  leave  Paris  secretly — Their  journey  to  ^Ivreux — 
They  meet  Guadet — Lodoiska  returns  to  Paris — Mme.  Roland 
pities  Lodoiska — Louvet  and  Guadet  reach  Caen — General 
Wimpfen — The  Girondists  organize  an  insurrection — Their 
official  residence — Mme.  Roland  on  Louvet's  style — Barbaroux 
and  the  Marquise — Mme.  Roland's  disapproval — Louvet  diverts 
his  friends — "  The  Angel  of  Assassination  " — Her  farewell 
letter — Petion's  little  joke — Louvet's  opinion  of  Charlotte 
Corday — Girondists  not  implicated  in  the  assassination  of  Marat 
— Puisaye's  attack  on  Vernon — "  A  battle  without  tears  " — 
End  of  the  Girondist  rising  in  Normandy. 

BUZOT,  Barbaroux  and  Gorsas,  having  eluded 
the  vigilance  of  their  guards,  fled  to  Caen,  which 
now  became  the  centre  of  the  Departmental  insurrec- 
tion. Louvet  was  still  in  concealment  at  the  house 
of  a  sure  friend,  and  for  long  could  not  make  up  his 
mind  to  leave  those  of  his  colleagues  who  had  elected 
to  stay  in  Paris.  A  letter  which  Barbaroux  addressed 
to  Duperret  from  Caen  about  this  time  may  perhaps 
have  finally  brought  him  to  a  decision. 

"  Have  you  fulfilled  my  commission  to  Guadet  ?  " 
asked  the  young  Marseillais.  "  I  wish  he  would  come 
here.  His  soul  must  be  sick  at  witnessing  such 
outrages,  and  a  sight  of  this  beautiful  country  and 
our  friendly  sympathy  would  do  him  good.  Let 
him  come  then,  and  bring  Petion,  Louvet,  yourself, 
and  our  other  friends.  Tell  my  mother  and  the 

200 


From  an  engraving  by  Baudran. 

BARBAROUX. 


[To  face  page  200. 


LOUVET 

demoiselles  Noel  to  speak  to  Mme.  Cholet's  nieces, 
who  often  go  to  see  them,  and  if  possible  arrange  to 
visit  Mme.  Cholet  together,  for  she  is  sure  to  have  some 
news  of  Lou  vet.  I  really  must  hear,  for  his  silence 
worries  me  more  than  I  can  tell  you."* 

In  these  anxious  days,  Lodoi'ska  acted  as  Louvet's 
agent  in  communicating  with  his  colleagues  in  their 
confinement.  Through  her,  he  kept  up  a  regular 
correspondence  with  Dufriche-Valaze,  deputy  for 
the  Orne,  who  lived  at  Number  10,  Rue  d'Orle'ans. 
Again  and  again  Louvet  sent  her  to  him  and  to 
Gensonne,  entreating  them  to  take  advantage  of  the 
many  opportunities  of  escaping  which  presented 
themselves  ;  but  both  steadily  refused  on  the  ground 
that,  whilst  it  was  necessary  for  the  majority  of  their 
comrades  to  leave  Paris  in  order  to  stir  up  the  pro- 
vinces, it  was  the  duty  of  a  few  to  remain  as  hostages 
and  a  guarantee  of  the  good  faith  of  those  who  left. 
Reading  the  woman's  heart  of  Lodoi'ska,  the  generous 
Valaze"  assured  her  that  Louvet's  presence  was 
urgently  needed  in  Normandy.  He  had,  in  fact, 
already  sent  to  Caen  for  passports  on  his  friends' 
behalf,  they  being  described  therein  as  brother  and 
sister. 

About  this  time,  Mme.  Roland  wrote  in  her 
Mtmoires  : 

"  Une  femme,  dont  on  ne  vantera  pas  les  con- 
naissances,  mais  qui  unit  aux  graces  de  son  sexe 
la  sensibilit6  d'ame  qui  en  fait  le  premier  me'rite  et 
le  plus  grand  charme,  trouva  moyen  de  pene"trer 

*  Dauban,  Lettres  de  Barbaroux. 
201 


LOUVET 

dans  ma  prison.  Combien  je  fus  etonne'e  de  voir  son 
doux  visage,  de  me  sentir  pressee  dans  ses  bras,  et 
d'etre  baigne"e  de  ses  pleurs  !  Je  la  pris  pour  un  ange  ; 
e'en  e*tait  un  aussi,  car  elle  est  bonne  et  jolie,  et  elle 
avait  tout  fait  pour  m'apporter  des  nouvelles  de  mes 
amis  ;  elle  me  donnait  encore  des  moyens  de  faire 
passer  des  miennes." 

It  has  been  generally  supposed  that  this  passage 
referred  to  Lodoi'ska.*  But  although  a  certain  intel- 
lectual arrogance  was  one  of  the  "  Great  Citoyenne's  " 
few  faults,  she  would  scarcely  have  used  such  terms 
in  relation  to  Lou  vet's  friend  ;  for  we  know,  as  she 
must  have  known,  that  Lodoiska  was  one  of  the  most 
brilliant  women  of  her  circle,  and  we  have  already 
seen  how  Louvet  was  in  the  habit  of  employing  her 
talents  as  a  writer.  The  matter  is  put  beyond  dis- 
pute by  a  reference  to  her  letter  to  Buzot,  dated 
June  22nd,  in  which  she  gives  him  an  account  in 
almost  the  same  words  of  a  visit  of  Mme.  Goussard : 

"  Cette  aimable  Mad.  Goussard !  comme  j'ai  ete 
surprise  de  voir  son  doux  visage,  de  me  sentir  pressed 
dans  ses  bras,  mouillee  de  ses  pleurs,  de  lui  voir  tirer 
de  son  sein  deux  lettres  de  toi ! — Mais  je  n'ai  jamais 
pu  les  lire  en  sa  presence,  et  j'avais  1'ingratitude  de 
trouver  sa  visite  longue  ;  elle  a  voulu  emporter  un  mot 
de  ma  main  ;  je  ne  trouvais  pas  plus  facile  de  t'ecrire 
sous  ses  yeux,  et  je  lui  en  voulais  presque  de  son 
empressement  officieux." 

Yet  in  spite  of  her  tactlessness,  the  simple  kindli- 

*  See  Vatel,  Charlotte  de  Corday  et  les  Girondins. 
202 


LOUVET 

ness,  which  she  continually  exercised  at  the  peril 
of  her  life,  has  won  Mme.  Goussard  a  place  in  the 
annals  of  the  world's  good  women. 

There  is  no  direct  evidence  that  Lodoi'ska  visited 
Mme.  Roland  at  all  during  her  captivity,  though  she 
was  certainly  the  bearer  of  several  of  the  letters  to 
and  from  Buzot  in  Normandy ;  and  we  know  that 
she  was  one  of  the  few  persons  to  whom  Mme.  Roland 
had  confided  her  love.  She  was  not  an  expansive 
person,  and  we  cannot  imagine  her  revealing  such  a 
jealously  guarded  secret,  even  to  staunch  friends  such 
as  Lodoi'ska  and  Mme.  Goussard,  before  her  arrest 
made  it  necessary,  in  order  to  ensure  the  means  of 
communicating  with  Buzot.  To  Louvet  alone  among 
the  proscribed  Deputies,  their  affection  for  each 
other  was  no  secret,  and  Mme.  Roland  in  her  letters 
seldom  fails  to  send  him  some  little  personal  message 
of  sympathy  and  friendship.* 

It  was  on  June  24th  that  Louvet,  accompanied 
by  Lodoi'ska,  left  Paris.  At  Meulan  they  were  obliged 
to  change  carriages.  Their  new  driver  proved  to  be  a 
violent  follower  of  Marat,  and  during  the  whole 
journey  never  ceased  to  utter  the  most  fearful  im- 
precations against  "the  rascally  Deputies  who  were 
attempting  to  set  the  provinces  in  flames."  He  added 
that  one  of  them,  Buzot,  had  for  a  time  deceived  the 
people  of  Evreux,  but  they  had  now  come  to  their 
senses,  arrested  him,  and  intended  to  take  him  back 
to  Paris.  Concealing  their  emotion  at  this  disastrous 
news,  the  fugitives  exerted  themselves  to  sustain  the 
conversation  as  gaily  as  they  might.  Early  on  the 

*  See  Dauban,  Lettres  de  Mme.  Roland. 
203 


LOUVET 

morrow,  they  reached  Evreux,  where  they  quickly 
satisfied  themselves  that  Buzot  was  in  safety,  and 
that  the  town  was  in  tumult  on  behalf  of  the  Giron- 
dists. That  evening  they  were  about  to  proceed 
on  their  journey,  when  they  saw  advancing  towards 
them  a  gaunt  figure  in  the  garb  of  a  journey- 
man upholsterer.  The  man  had  a  drawn,  haggard 
face,  a  ragged  black  beard,  and  bright,  beady  eyes. 
His  gait  was  that  of  utter  exhaustion.  It  was  some 
moments  before  they  recognized  Guadet.  He  had 
that  day  walked  nearly  fifty  miles,  mostly  across 
country.  He  had  intended  to  go  on  to  Caen,  but 
was  obliged  to  stay  the  night  at  Evreux.  They 
decided  to  remain  with  him,  and  engaged  rooms  in 
the  same  hotel. 

To  the  dismay  of  Lodoi'ska,  Guadet  the  next  day 
suggested  to  Louvet  that  it  would  be  unwise  to  expose 
their  womenfolk  to  the  perils  which  would  now  beset 
them,  and  strongly  urged  that  Lodoi'ska  should  return 
to  Paris.  She  received  this  decision  with  many 
bitter  tears  and  entreaties,  but  Louvet  at  length 
persuaded  her  that  this  was  the  wisest  course  open  to 
them.  She  set  out  the  same  day. 

This  involuntary  parting  was  the  cause  of  Mme. 
Roland  unwittingly  doing  her  an  injustice.  "  Ou 
done  Louvet  a-t-il  laisse  son  amie  ?  "  she  asked  of 
Buzot  on  the  7th  of  July.  "  Que  je  la  plains ! 
Cependant,  si  j'etais  a  sa  place,  tu  ne  serais  pas  seul 
aux  lieux  qui  font  re9u,  et  je  m'estimerais  heureuse, 
car  je  partagerais  tes  dangers."  "  Where  has 
Louvet  left  his  friend  ?  How  I  pity  her !  Yet,  had 
I  been  in  her  place,  thou  shouldst  not  be  alone  wher- 

204 


LOUVET 

ever  thou  wert,  and  I  should  esteem  myself  happy, 
for  I  should  be  sharing  thy  dangers."  Being  ignorant 
of  the  cause  of  Lodoi'ska's  absence,  she  could  not  help 
feeling  a  half-contemptuous  pity  for  the  woman 
who,  as  she  supposed,  lacked  the  courage  to  face 
danger  at  the  side  of  the  man  she  loved — a  happi- 
ness which,  though  often  prayed  for,  had  always  been 
denied  herself.  Had  she  known  the  truth,  she  would 
have  been  the  first  to  applaud  her  friend's  sacrifice. 

When  Louvet  and  Guadet  reached  Caen,  they  found 
the  insurrection  in  full  swing.  Buzot,  assisted  by 
Salle,  Gorsas,  and  Barbaroux,  had  won  over  the 
Departmental  authorities,  and  it  had  been  decided 
to  raise  an  army  to  march  on  Paris,  with  the  design 
of  reinstating  the  expelled  Deputies,  and  protecting 
the  Convention  against  the  tyranny  of  the  Mountain 
on  the  one  hand,  and  the  outrages  of  the  sans-culottes* 
on  the  other.  The  enrolment  of  volunteers  was  pro- 
ceeding apace,  and  nearly  two  thousand  men,  con- 
sisting mostly  of  young  Bretons  and  Normans  of 
good  family,  were  already  under  arms.  But  Louvet 
was  astonished  to  find  that  his  friends  had  entrusted 
the  chief  command  to  General  Felix  Wimpfen,  for- 
merly Deputy  for  Bayeux  to  the  Constituent 
Assembly,  in  which  capacity  he  had  distinguished 
himself  as  an  uncompromising  Royalist.  He  vainly 
expostulated  with  them  on  their  choice,  urging  that 

*  The  lower  classes  at  this  time  wore  short  trousers,  whilst  the 
gentry,  and  all  men  with  any  pretensions  to  elegance,  wore  knee- 
breeches.  The  term  sans-culotte  (breechesless)  was  first  used  by  the 
Royalist  Abbe  Maury  as  a  term  of  contempt  for  the  rabble,  but  was 
adopted  by  the  latter  as  an  honourable  name  for  all  good  patriots. 

205 


LOUVET 

a  man  of  such  principles  would  irreparably  injure  their 
cause,  even  though  his  intentions  were  of  the  best, 
which  in  Wimpfen's  case  was  at  least  open  to  question. 
His  fears  were  only  too  well  grounded,  for  there  is  little 
doubt  that  the  General  sought  to  use  the  Girondists  to 
further  his  own  ends  ;  and  before  many  weeks  had 
passed  he  openly  advised  them  to  throw  in  their  lot 
with  his  party,  and  to  negociate  for  arms  and  men, 
through  him,  with  the  English  Government.  Indeed, 
there  is  reason  to  think  that  the  people  of  Caen  at 
this  time  had  a  distinct  leaning  towards  Royalism, 
but  Petion,  Buzot,  and  Louvet  did  not  suspect  this 
until  it  was  too  late. 

In  spite  of  the  Girondists'  activity,  the  emissaries 
of  the  Mountain  in  Normandy  viewed  the  situation 
with  equanimity.  Writing  to  the  Committee  of 
Public  Safety  on  the  gth  of  June,  Robert  Lindet 
said : 

"  There  is  little  reason  to  fear  that  a  hostile  army 
will  come  from  this  quarter,  where  heads  are  cool, 
though  doubtless  all  good  patriots  will  be  persecuted." 

Yet  on  that  very  day,  the  Council-General  of  the 
Department  ordered  the  arrest  and  imprisonment  of 
Romme  and  Prieur,  commissaries  of  the  Convention, 
and  ardent  supporters  of  the  Mountain. 

On  the  i8th,  the  Council  allotted  the  former  Hotel 
de  1'Intendance  to  the  fugitive  Deputies  as  their 
official  residence,  and  provided  them  with  a  guard 
of  honour.  This  fine  old  mansion,  with  its  heavily- 
sculptured  portal,  and  swing  doors  of  ancient  oak, 

206 


LOUVET 

its  vast  balconied  windows,  and  gigantic  roof, 
jammed  like  a  huge  extinguisher  uncomfortably  over 
its  head,  is  still  standing,  hidden  away  and  almost 
forgotten,  behind  an  ill-paved  court-yard  in  the 
narrow  and  secluded  Rue  des  Carmes.  Here,  where 
in  former  times  the  noble  magistrates  of  Normandy 
sat  in  state,  and  the  Girondists  lived  for  some  weeks 
in  alternate  hope  and  despondency,  the  peaceful 
merchants  of  to-day  have  installed  their  civic  library. 
The  Hotel  was  immediately  opposite  the  house  of 
Mme.  de  Bretheville,  with  whom  Charlotte  Corday 
was  then  living. 

On  moving  into  their  new  quarters  the  Deputies 
set  themselves  ardently  to  the  work  of  organization. 
Meetings  were  held  every  day,  presided  over  by 
Petion,  with  Salle  and  Lesage  as  secretaries,  and 
every  means  was  adopted  to  arouse  the  enthusiasm 
which  they  fondly  believed  lurked  in  the  breasts  of 
the  sluggish  provincials.  Day  by  day  they  made 
burning  speeches,  and  maintained  a  steady  fire  of 
pamphlets,  manifestoes,  news-sheets,  and  patriotic 
songs.  Louvet's  chief  contribution  to  this  mass  of 
literature  was  a  pamphlet  printed  at  Caen  on  July 
I3th,  entitled,  "  Observations  sur  le  rapport  de  St. 
Just  centre  les  deputes  detenus,"  of  which  Mme. 
Roland  says,  "  J'y  ai  reconnu  le  style,  la  finesse, 
et  la  gaiete  de  Louvet :  c'est  la  Raison  en  deshabille, 
se  jouant  avec  le  ridicule,  sans  perdre  de  sa  force  ni 
de  sa  dignite." 

All  threw  themselves  heart  and  soul  into  the  work, 
except  Barbaroux,  who  often  failed  to  put  in  an 
appearance  at  the  meetings,  being  unable  to  tear 

207 


LOUVET 

himself  from  the  society  of  a  lady  who  for  the  moment 
had  succeeded  in  fixing  his  nomadic  affections.  For 
her  he  had  forgotten  not  only  the  troubles  of  his 
country,  but  the  bright  eyes  and  tender  heart  of 
Annette,  shortly  to  become  the  mother  of  his  son, 
not  to  mention  the  blandishments  of  the  freakish 
beauty  who  inspired  his  presumably  retrospective 
verses  on  the  cruelty  of  Philis.  The  present  victim 
of  the  handsome  young  Deputy's  predatory  amours 
was  a  marquise  who  had  recently  embraced  Re- 
publican principles  in  the  person  of  the  Girondist 
gay  Lothario.  He  always  referred  to  her  as  "  Zelie." 
She  had  followed  him  to  Caen,  and  had  been  promptly 
installed  in  the  hotel  in  which  Louvet,  Buzot,  and 
Petion  had  shared  a  room  before  removing  to  the 
Hotel  de  1'Intendance.  Her  presence  annoyed  Petion, 
as  he  thought  it  was  calculated  to  give  rise  to  dis- 
agreeable insinuations  against  them.  His  fears  were 
justified  by  the  event.  Zelie's  infatuation  had  made 
her  careless  of  all  restraint,  and  she  was  often  to  be 
seen  in  public  leaning  on  her  lover's  arm.*  There  is 
little  doubt  that,  owing  to  this  circumstance,  she  was 
confounded  with  Charlotte  Corday,  and  her  constant 
appearance  in  the  company  of  Barbaroux  was  partly 
responsible  for  the  fatal  legend  of  his  intimacy  with 
Marat's  assassin. 

News  of  his  escapade  had  reached  even  Mme. 
Roland,  and  in  her  next  letter  to  Buzot,  she  takes 
the  opportunity  of  gently  rebuking  not  only  the 
levity  of  Barbaroux,  but  also  the  dilatoriness  of  his 
colleagues ; 

*  Pauban,  Mtmoires  de  Potion. 
208 


LOUVET 

"  Et  ce  jeune  Barbaroux,"  she  says,  "  ne  fait-il 
pas  des  siermes  dans  cette  terre  hospital!  £re  ?  C'est 
pourtant  le  cas  d'oublier  de  s'amuser,  a  moins 
que  de  savoir,  comme  Alcibiade,  suffire  a  tout  e"gale- 
ment.  Quand  je  me  rappelle  la  ser6nite  de  P[etion], 
1' effervescence  aimable  mais  passagere  de  G[uadet], 
etc., — je  crains  que  ces  honnetes  gens,  la-bas  comme 
ici,  n'emploient  a  rever  le  bien  public  le  temps  qu'il 
faudrait  consacrer  a  I'op6rer."*  The  woman  of  the 
heroic  love  spoke  there.  She  had  made  the  great 
sacrifice  herself,  and  could  feel  nothing  but  a  mild 
form  of  contempt  for  the  man  who  would  not  give 
up  even  his  "  amusements  "  at  the  call  of  his  country. 

It  is  clear  that  Barbaroux  and  his  affairs  caused  his 
friends  much  uneasiness,  and  Petion  says  they  were 
often  at  this  time  grateful  to  Louvet,  who  readily 
employed  his  skill  as  a  raconteur  in  diverting  their 
thoughts  from  their  hazardous  situation  by  stories 
and  anecdotes  as  brilliant  and  witty  as  his  Faublas. 

Such  was  the  position  of  affairs  when  a  tall  and 
shapely  girl,  of  the  most  pleasing  appearance  and 
engaging  manners,  called  at  the  Hotel  de  1'Intendance, 
and  asked  to  see  Barbaroux.  She  was  accompanied 
on  this,  as  on  all  future  occasions,  by  an  old  man- 
servant. Meillan  and  Guadet,  who  were  in  the  re- 
ception hall  at  the  time,  at  once  sent  for  their  col- 
league, and  left  him  alone  with  his  visitor  and  her 
companion.  Barbaroux  received  her  with  that 
deferential  and  chivalrous  manner  habitual  to  him 
in  his  bearing  towards  women.  Pleased  with  her 

*  Dauban,  Lettres  &  Buzot. 

209  14 


LOUVET 

reception,  she  briefly  stated  the  ostensible  motive  of 
her  call,  which  was  to  ask  his  advice  in  obtaining 
possession  of  some  papers,  then  in  the  keeping  of  the 
Minister  of  the  Interior,  substantiating  the  claims 
of  her  friend,  Mile,  de  Forbin,  to  certain  tithes  and 
dues  to  which,  as  a  canoness  of  Troyes,  she  was 
entitled.  She  addressed  herself  to  him,  she  said, 
because  her  friend  belonged  to  his  Department  of 
the  Bouches-du-Rhone.  Her  real  motive  seems  to 
have  been  to  obtain  news  of  the  tyranny  in  Paris 
from  a  man  who  had  suffered  under  it ;  but  no  hint 
of  her  secret  design,  if  she  had  already  formed  it, 
passed  her  lips.  She  appears  to  have  chosen  Bar- 
baroux  because  she  judged  him  to  be  the  most 
talkative,  as  well  as  the  most  easily  accessible  of  all 
the  Deputies  in  Caen.  When  he  had  heard  her,  he 
observed  that  the  recommendation  of  an  outlaw 
would  probably  be  of  more  harm  than  use  ;  but  he 
promised  her  a  letter  of  introduction  to  his  friend 
Lauze  Duperret,  a  Girondist  Deputy,  who  had  escaped 
proscription  ;  although  he  bade  her  entertain  small 
hope  of  success.  Having  obtained  this  promise  she 
withdrew.  It  was  thus  that  the  tragic  and  impene- 
trable figure  of  the  modern  Judith  first  flashed  across 
the  page  of  history. 

Her  next  appearance  was  at  a  grand  review  of 
the  National  Guard  by  General  Wimpfen,  organized 
by  the  Administrative  Council  of  the  Department 
with  the  co-operation  of  the  Girondist  leaders.  This 
was  held  on  Sunday,  the  7th  of  July,  and  all  the 
beauty  and  fashion  of  Caen  had  assembled  to  watch 
and  applaud  the  spectacle.  It  was  hoped  that  the 

210 


From  an  engraving  by  Levachez. 


Designed  and  engraved  by  Duplessis  Bertcaux. 

CHARLOTTE    CORDAY. 


[To  face  page  210. 


LOUVET 

display  would  arouse  the  martial  ardour  of  the  pro- 
vincial youths,  and  would  result  in  a  rich  harvest 
of  recruits.  Louvet,  Petion,  Buzot  and  other 
Deputies,  with  Charlotte  Corday  (possibly  on  the 
invitation  of  Barbaroux),  viewed  the  parade  from 
a  balcony.  When  the  music  was  over  and  the  last 
eloquent  speech  had  been  made,  the  Girondists  made 
a  fiery  appeal  for  volunteers.  Seventeen  responded 
to  the  call.  Charlotte  blushed  with  shame  for  the 
young  men  of  her  native  town,  and  she  afterwards 
referred  to  their  meekness  with  delicate  irony.  But 
Petion,  noticing  the  expression  of  chagrin  on  her 
face,  and  interpreting  it  in  his  own  way,  asked  : 

"  Would  you  be  sorry  if  they  did  not  go  ?  " 

Deeply  mortified  by  his  insinuation,  Charlotte 
turned  away  without  a  word,  and  went  home. 

When  she  next  called  to  get  the  promised  letter, 
she  found  that  Barbaroux  had  forgotten  it ;  but  he 
promised  to  send  it  on  to  her  the  next  day  without 
fail.  During  the  interview  she  deftly  turned  the 
conversation  to  the  state  of  Paris.  At  that  moment 
Louvet  and  Petion  entered  the  hall,  and  the  latter 
greeted  her  as  "  the  pretty  aristocrat  who  comes  to 
see  the  Republicans." 

"  You  judge  me  now  without  knowing  me,  Citizen 
Petion,"  she  replied  ;  "  some  day  you  will  know  me 
better." 

These  enigmatical  words  were  the  nearest  approach 
she  ever  made  to  an  avowal  of  her  secret  plan.  It  is 
evident  that  she  keenly  resented  Petion's  words,  for 
she  referred  to  them  in  her  last  letter  to  Barbaroux. 
He  certainly  had  no  idea  at  the  time  that  he  had 

211  14* 


LOUVET 

offended  her.  Honest  Potion  was  one  of  those  tire- 
some persons  who  must  have  their  little  joke — 
generally  the  people  who,  of  all  others,  are  obviously 
the  least  entitled  to  it.  Moreover,  he  was  a  fine 
figure  of  a  man,  and  shared  the  fatuity  which  the 
consciousness  of  the  possession  of  a  "  leg  "  appears 
inevitably  to  induce.*  It  needed  a  sterner  school  to 
bring  out  the  many  admirable  qualities  of  his  nature  ; 
and  some  months  later,  when  he  had  passed  a  bitter 
apprenticeship  to  adversity,  he  sought,  in  his 
Memoires,  to  make  honourable  amends  for  the  levity 
which  had  wounded  the  pure  and  heroic  girl  who, 
with  mistaken  devotion,  flung  away  her  life  in  an 
unavailing  attempt  "  to  give  her  country  peace." 

The  next  day  Barbaroux  sent  Charlotte  the  letter 
to  Duperret,  with  a  batch  of  papers  which  she  had 
promised  to  deliver  for  him.  They  never  saw  her 
again.  It  was  on  the  evening  of  the  I3th  July 
that  she  assassinated  Marat,  and  on  the  I5th,  which 
she  quaintly  terms  "  the  second  day  of  the  prepara- 
tion for  peace,"  she  addressed  that  famous  letter 
to  Barbaroux,  "  full  of  graciousness,  intelligence,  and 
elevation,"  of  which  Lou  vet  says  : 

"  Either  nothing  that  is  beautiful  in  the  French 
Revolution  will  endure,  or  this  letter  will  pass  down 
the  ages.  Ah  !  my  dear  Barbaroux,  in  the  whole 
of  your  career,  so  enviable  throughout,  I  have  never 
envied  you  anything  but  the  honour  of  having  your 

*  He  really  was  a  handsome  fellow  and  had  a  pretty  way  with 
the  ladies.  In  the  early  years  of  the  Revolution  he  had  accom- 
panied Madame  de  Genlis  to  England  in  the  most  intimate  of 
capacities. 

212 


LOUVET 

name  attached  to  this  letter."  Yet  he  felt  that  he 
was  not  unrewarded,  for  during  her  trial  she  had 
occasion  to  mention  his  name  ;  from  which  circum- 
stance he  seems  to  have  hoped  for  the  languid  honours 
of  a  conjectural  immortality.  The  rest  of  the  passage 
must  be  left  in  the  original : 

"  Charlotte  Corday,  toi  qui  sera  desormais  1'idole 
des  republicans,  dans  1'Elysee  ou  tu  repose  avec 
les  Vergniaud,  les  Sidney,  les  Brutus,  entends  mes 
derniers  voeux,  demande  a  I'Eternel  qu'il  protege 
mon  epouse,  qu'il  la  sauve,  qu'il  me  la  rende ; 
demande-lui  qu'il  nous  accorde  ....  quelques 
annees  d'amour  et  de  bonheur ;  et  si  mes  pri£res 
ne  sont  pas  exaucees,  si  ma  Lodo'iska  devait  tomber 
sur  1'echafaud,  ah  !  que  du  moins  je  ne  tarde  point 
davantage  a  1'apprendre,  et  bientot  j'irai,  dans  les 
lieux  ou  tu  r£gnes,  me  r£unir  avec  ma  femme  et 
m'entretenir  avec  toi."* 

This  is  the  farewell  letter  that  "  the  Angel  of 
Assassination  "  addressed  to  her  father  : — 

"  Forgive  me,  my  dear  Papa,  for  having  disposed  of 
my  existence  without  your  permission,  but  I  have  avenged 
many  innocent  victims,  and  prevented  many  new  disasters. 
Some  day,  when  the  people  are  disabused  of  their  errors, 
they  will  rejoice  that  they  are  delivered  from  a  tyrant. 
When  I  tried  to  make  you  believe  that  I  was  going  to 
England,  it  was  because  I  wished  to  remain  unknown, 
but  I  soon  saw  that  this  would  be  impossible.  I  hope  you 
will  not  be  worried ;  in  any  case,  I  think  you  will  find 
defenders  in  Caen.  I  have  chosen  Gustave  Doulcet  for 
my  counsel,  but  a  deed  of  this  kind  admits  of  no  defence  ; 

*  Louvet,  Rfcit  de  mes  perils. 
213 


LOUVET 

it  is  a  matter  of  form.  Good-bye,  my  dear  Papa ;  I  beg 
you  to  forget  me,  or  rather  to  rejoice  at  my  fate ;  it  is 
in  a  good  cause.  I  embrace  my  sister,  whom  I  love  with 
all  my  heart,  also  all  my  relatives.  Do  not  forget  this 
verse  of  Corneille's  : 

"  '  The  shame  lies  in  the  crime,  not  in  the  scaffold.' 
"  I  am  to  be  judged  to-morrow  at  eight  o'clock. 

"  CORDAY. 
"  The  16  July." 

"  Pardonne's  moi  Mon  Cher  Papa  d' avoir  dispose 
de  mon  existence  sans  votre  permission,  j'ai  venge  bien 
d'innocentes  victimes,  j'ai  prevenu  bien  d'autres  desastres, 
le  peuple  un  jour  desabuse,  se  rejouira  d'etre  delivre  d'un 
tyran.  Si  j'ai  cherch6  a  vous  persuade"  que  je  passais 
en  Angleterre  cesque  j'esperais  garder  lincognito  mais 
j'en  ai  reconu  I'impossibilit6.  J'espere  que  vous  ne  seres 
point  tourmente  en  tous  cas  je  crois  que  vous  aur6s  des 
defenseurs  a  Caen.  J'ai  pris  pour  defenseur  Gustave 
Doulcet,  un  tel  attentat  ne  permet  nulle  defense  c'est  pour 
la  forme.  Adieu  mon  cher  papa  je  vous  prie  de  m'oublier 
ou  plut6t  de  vous  rejouir  de  mon  sort  la  cause  en  est  belle. 
J'embrasse  ma  sceur  que  j'aime  de  tout  mon  cceur  ainsi 
que  tous  mes  parens.  N'oubli6s  pas  ce  vers  de  Corneille 

"  '  Le  crime  fait  la  honte  et  non  pas  1'echafaud.' 
"  C'est  demain  a  huit  heures  que  Ton  me  juge,  le  16 
Juillet. 

"  CORDAY." 

There  is,  of  course,  not  the  slightest  evidence  for 
the  charge  of  complicity  in  the  murder,  which  was 
brought  against  the  Girondist  Deputies.  Not  one 
of  them  could  have  had  the  faintest  suspicion  of  her 
design.  In  fact,  they  deplored  the  deed  even  more 
sincerely  than  the  chiefs  of  the  Mountain,  for  they 

214 


2F  a  1 1 


^ 


215 


2l6 


LOUVET 

knew  it  would  be  the  death-warrant  of  their  friends 
in  Paris.  After  protesting  against  this  additional 
slander  of  their  enemies,  Louvet  says  : 

"  If  she  had  consulted  us,  is  it  likely  that  we  should 
have  directed  her  weapon  against  Marat,  knowing, 
as  we  did,  that  an  incurable  disease  had  already 
brought  him  to  the  brink  of  the  grave  ?  " 

Indeed,  it  is  probable  that  the  outlaws  had  almost 
forgotten  the  girl  who  visited  them,  and  perhaps  the 
most  convincing  proof  of  their  innocence  is  afforded 
by  the  obvious,  and  not  always  very  successful, 
efforts  each  of  them  afterwards  made  to  recall  some- 
thing definite  about  her. 

At  the  beginning  of  July,  the  Deputies  for  a  while 
toyed  with  the  notion  of  putting  themselves  at  the 
head  of  the  troops.  As  Petion  remarked,  "  there 
was  something  grand  and  magnanimous  about  this 
idea,"  which  proved  very  attractive  to  some  of  the 
more  ornamental  members  of  the  party ;  but  the 
cooler  heads  among  them  thought  they  would  be  little 
use  as  soldiers  and  still  less  as  captains,  and  the 
idea  was  happily  abandoned. 

Meanwhile  Wimpfen,  who  had  so  far  confined 
his  exploits  to  the  delivery  of  speeches  and  journey- 
ings  to  and  fro  between  Caen,  Evreux,  and  Lisieux, 
now  delegated  the  command  to  Comte  Joseph  de 
Puisaye,  his  aide-de-camp,  as  firm  a  Royalist  as 
himself. 

On  July  I3th,  Puisaye  led  a  force  numbering 
about  a  thousand  men  against  Vernon,  which  was 
garrisoned  by  a  small  body  of  Jacobin  soldiers. 

217 


LOUVET 

Although  he  gave  out  that  he  wished  to  take  the 
town  by  surprise,  his  vanity  found  satisfaction  in 
marching  out  of  Caen  accompanied  by  all  the  pomp 
and  circumstance  of  war.  The  whole  neighbour- 
hood flocked  to  see  the  spectacle. 

All  parties  have  lied  so  freely  about  this  trans- 
action that  it  is  difficult  to  disentangle  a  coherent 
and  reasonably  credible  narrative  of  what  followed. 
It  seems  probable,  however,  that  Puisaye,  in  his 
anxiety  to  make  the  most  of  his  first  command,  would 
not  wait  for  the  arrival  of  his  full  complement  of 
troops,  but  determined,  if  it  were  possible  without 
too  much  risk,  to  take  the  wind  out  of  his  chief's 
sails  by  scoring  a  victory  on  his  own  account.  But 
being  a  novice  in  the  matter,  he  first  marched  his 
troops  through  the  heat  of  a  broiling  day,  and  then 
could  not  resist  the  temptation  of  ordering  an 
assault  on  a  small  fortress,  the  Chateau  de  Pacy, 
which  he  found  on  his  way.  The  command  was 
vigorously  carried  out,  and  on  entering,  he  found 
he  had  wasted  his  ammunition  on  the  desert  air,  for 
the  place  was  undefended. 

He  next  conducted  his  little  army  as  far  as  Bre- 
court,  a  village  quite  close  to  Vernon,  where  he  called 
a  halt,  and  ordered  the  soldiers  to  pitch  their  camp 
on  a  neighbouring  heath.  Now  it  is  not  quite  clear 
whether  his  negligence  is  to  be  attributed  to  the  in- 
experience of  a  young  soldier,  or  whether,  like  the 
Duke  of  Plaza  Toro,  he  preferred  "  to  lead  his  regi- 
ment from  behind — he  found  it  less  exciting  "  ;  but 
having  caused  his  troops  to  encamp,  he  immediately 
went  off,  leaving  them  to  their  own  devices.  Accord- 

218 


LOUVET 

ing  to  his  own  account,  he  was  so  extenuated  with 
fatigue  that  he  found  it  impossible  to  proceed  further 
without  taking  a  few  hours'  rest.  It  was  Rivarol 
who  censured  Lafayette,  on  the  night  of  October 
5th-6th,  1789,  for  having  "  dor  mi  contre  son  roi,"  and 
if  Puisaye  cannot  fairly  be  accused  of  actively  com- 
bating the  Republican  cause,  he  was  at  least  guilty 
of  Lafayette's  offence  with  respect  to  the  Girondists 
at  Vernon. 

Abandoned  by  their  general,  the  raw  recruits  threw 
all  caution  to  the  winds.  The  sentries  on  duty  quitted 
their  posts  to  go  in  search  of  "  beer  and  beauty  "  ; 
whilst  the  artillerymen  left  their  guns,  ranged  one 
behind  the  other,  in  order  to  join  their  comrades 
round  the  camp-fires,  where  there  was  much  joking, 
singing  and  uproar,  as  there  is  apt  to  be  at  such  times 
even  among  full-fledged  soldiers. 

They  had  settled  down  comfortably  to  make  a  night 
of  it.  Their  junketing  was  in  full  swing,  when  a  column 
of  the  enemy  appeared  on  the  outskirts  of  the  camp, 
and  without  even  warning  them  of  their  presence,  fired 
several  shots  over  their  heads.  At  the  first  alarm, 
they  scrambled  to  their  feet  and  searched  wildly  for 
their  arms.  Then  there  was  a  mad  stampede.  In 
the  confusion,  a  few  muskets  went  off,  as  it  were,  of 
their  own  accord,  without  damage  to  friend  or  foe. 
But  the  assailants  now  deemed  it  prudent  to  with- 
draw from  an  interview  which,  by  reason  of  their 
opponents'  careless  handling  of  firearms,  was  fast 
becoming  dangerous.  The  rival  armies,  having 
thoroughly  frightened  each  other,  thereupon  fled  in 
opposite  directions,  without  waiting  to  make  a  future 

219 


LOUVET 

appointment.  At  this  moment  the  men  of  Ille-et- 
Vilaine,  who  had  returned  to  camp  as  unofficially  as 
they  had  left  it,  came  upon  the  scene,  and  finding 
the  abandoned  guns  with  their  traces  cut,  replaced 
the  latter  by  their  handkerchiefs,  and  gallantly  pulled 
the  former  out  of  action.  Thus  ended  the  famous  and 
almost  fatal  fray  of  Vernon,  and  with  it  the  Girondists' 
hope  of  a  Departmental  insurrection. 


220 


CHAPTER  XIX 

Outlawed — Flight  of  the  proscribed  Deputies — They  reach  Vire 
— Lodo'iska  joins  Louvet — Their  marriage — The  Deputies  set 
out  for  Quiinper — What  happened  to  them  at  D61 — A  midnight 
alarm — Lodo'iska  proceeds  alone  to  Quimper — Louvet's  com- 
panions— A  hostile  town — Riouffe  is  detained — His  escape — 
Boetidoux  the  Royalist — He  befriends  the  fugitives — Louvet 
inclines  to  suspicion — The  outlaws  are  recognized — A  trying 
ordeal — A  quiet  night  and  another  alarm 

AFTER  the  fiasco  at  Vernon  the  administration 
of  Calvados  secretly  made  peace  with  the 
Mountain.  The  first  intimation  of  this  defection 
was  received  by  the  fugitives  three  days  later,  when 
they  found  the  decree  of  outlawry  against  them 
posted  on  the  door  of  their  hotel.  Indignant  at 
this  cowardly  betrayal,  the  Breton  volunteers,  who 
were  to  set  out  on  the  morrow,  offered  them  arms, 
which  were  thankfully  accepted.  It  was  then  de- 
cided that  they  should  march  out  in  the  ranks  of  the 
volunteers  as  simple  soldiers  and  seek  refuge  in  the 
Departments.  At  Vire,  Louvet  learned  that  the 
Mountain,  emboldened  by  the  reverse  of  the  in- 
surgents, were  busily  making  arrests  in  Paris.  He 
trembled  for  the  safety  of  Lodoiska.  That  night, 
tired  out  by  the  long  march,  he  retired  to  rest  at  six 
o'clock,  but  was  too  much  worried  by  the  news  from 
Paris  to  sleep. 

At   midnight   a  servant    came   to   tell    him    that 
a    lady    was    below    asking    to    see    him.      It    was 

221 


LOUVET 

Lodoiska.  On  hearing  the  tidings  of  Vernon,  she 
had  promptly  sold  all  her  jewellery  and  hastened 
to  Lou  vet  that  she  might  share  in  the  dangers  of  the 
flight.  Deeply  touched  by  her  devotion,  and  knowing 
that  nothing  he  could  urge  would  alter  her  decision, 
he  gently  pressed  her  to  take  the  step  which  should 
unite  them  for  ever.  As  this  was  now  possible, 
owing  to  her  divorce,  which  had  been  granted  ten 
months  before,  he  was  unable  to  account  for  her 
hesitation.  But  at  length  he  succeeded  in  over- 
coming her  scruples.  Perhaps  a  woman's  sweetest 
hope,  which  arose  about  this  time  and  is  enigmatically 
referred  to  by  Louvet  some  weeks  later,  was  the  chief 
factor  in  bringing  her  to  a  decision.  They  were 
married,  it  is  said,  by  a  non-juring  priest.  This 
was  afterwards  used  against  him  by  his  enemies.* 
Their  witnesses  were  Petion,  Buzot,  Salle,  and 
Guadet. 

It  must  have  been  a  trying  ordeal  to  Buzot.  His 
thoughts  must  often  have  wandered  from  the  joyful 
ceremony  at  which  he  was  assisting  to  the  woman  he 
loved,  who  had  fallen  into  the  hands  of  his  enemies. 
Even  so  early  he  had  given  up  all  hope  of  seeing  her 
again.  He  was  not  a  sanguine  man.  Only  from 
time  to  time  he  received  one  of  those  wonderful 
love  letters  which  have  so  strangely  come  down 
to  us.  In  fact  Lodoiska  had  brought  him  one,  and 
this  helped  him  to  bear  the  sight  of  his  friend's  great 
happiness.  His  fears  were  only  too  well  founded. 
He  never  saw  Mme.  Roland  again. 

During  these  first  days  of  reunion  Lodoiska  was  all 

*  See  Danican,  Les  Brigands  dtmasquts. 
222 


LOUVET 

for  hastening  to  the  nearest  port  and  embarking  for 
America.  But  Louvet  pointed  out  that  Lyons, 
Bordeaux  and  Marseilles  were  making  a  last  effort, 
and  it  was  his  duty  to  proceed  thither  with  his  friends. 
She  at  once  consented,  but  made  him  swear  that  they 
should  never  again  be  separated.  A  carriage  was, 
therefore,  engaged  for  her  and  the  wives  of  some  of 
the  other  Deputies  who  had  determined  to  follow 
their  husbands. 

The  march  proceeded.  At  Fouge"res  they  sent 
forward  a  friend  to  Rennes  with  instructions  to 
prepare  the  way  for  them  to  the  sea,  and  to  arrange 
for  their  passage  by  boat  to  Bordeaux.  But  Barbaroux 
afterwards  persuaded  them  that  it  would  be  better 
to  make  for  Quimper,  whither  the  Deputy  Kervelegan 
had  preceded  ^hem,  and  where  he  had  probably 
already  arranged  a  safe  retreat  for  them  until  they 
were  able  to  embark.  They  therefore  marched  with 
the  Finiste're  battalion,  taking  the  road  from  Fougeres 
to  D61. 

At  Antrain  about  two  hundred  partisans  of  the 
Mountain  made  some  show  of  arresting  them,  but 
on  their  taking  up  a  determined  attitude  their 
enemies,  as  Louvet  puts  it,  "  dispersed  and  went 
home  to  bed."  But  on  the  outskirts  of  D61  a  rumour 
reached  them  that  the  municipal  guards  of  that  town, 
covered  by  artillery,  were  drawn  up  in  line  of  battle 
to  receive  them.  By  hurrying  forward  the  Girondist 
battalion  reached  D61  before  they  were  expected,  and 
although  the  cannon  were  in  position,  there  were  no 
guards  to  serve  them.  They  fixed  bayonets  and 
charged  into  the  town  without  opposition.  Volun- 

223 


LOUVET 

teers  were  then  chosen  from  their  ranks  to  proceed 
to  the  municipal  hall  to  demand  an  explanation 
of  the  mayor's  hostile  preparations.  He  replied 
that  he  had  no  intention  of  opposing  the  progress 
of  the  volunteers  to  their  homes,  but  it  was  his  duty 
to  arrest  the  traitor  Deputies  in  their  ranks.  This 
answer  so  incensed  the  faithful  battalion  that  for  a 
moment  bloodshed  seemed  inevitable.  But  the  out- 
lawed representatives,  seconded  by  the  commandant 
of  the  guards,  at  length  succeeded  in  restoring  peace  ; 
and  it  was  finally  agreed  that  the  fugitives  should 
be  allowed  to  dine  in  the  town  on  condition 
that  they  left  immediately  after.  Although  they 
had  intended  to  pass  the  night  at  D61,  these  terms 
were  accepted. 

"  If  you  want  to  arrest  them,  beat  th^eneral  alarm, 
and  come  and  do  it  !  "  was  the  parting  shot  of  the 
volunteers  as  they  marched  out  of  the  town.  At 
Dinan  they  were  made  welcome,  and  there  they  passed 
the  night  in  safety. 

The  fugitives  were,  however,  awakened  at  daybreak 
by  angry  and  excited  voices  in  the  street  below.  Hurry- 
ing down  they  found  that  their  enemies  had  mustered 
their  forces  during  the  night,  and  were  endeavouring 
to  persuade  the  volunteers  to  abandon  them.  This 
they  sturdily  refused  to  do.  Thereupon,  the  fugitive 
Deputies,  unwilling  to  embroil  their  friends  further  on 
their  behalf,  determined  to  separate  from  them,  and 
to  make  their  way  as  best  they  could  across  country 
to  Quimper.  The  volunteers  vainly  tried  to  dissuade 
them  from  so  dangerous  a  course,  but  seeing  that  the 
Deputies  were  firm  in  their  resolution,  they  fitted 

224 


LOUVET 

each  out  with  a  complete  uniform,  gave  them  their 
best  weapons,  and  wished  them  God-speed.  Before 
separating,  however,  the  battalion  insisted  on  leav- 
ing behind  six  picked  men  of  their  number  to  act 
as  an  escort,  and  lastly,  the  commandant,  Fouchet 
la  Bremaudiere,  the  man  who  had  helped  to  save 
them  on  the  night  of  March  loth,  signed  discharges 
for  them,  in  which  they  were  described  as  volunteers 
of  the  Finistere  battalion  returning  by  the  shortest 
route  to  their  homes  at  Quimper. 

Louvet's  new-found  happiness  was  short-lived,  for, 
in  spite  of  their  vows  to  the  contrary,  it  was  found 
necessary  to  part  from  Lodoiska.  But  if  all  went  well 
the  separation  would  be  a  short  one.  It  was  decided 
that  she  should  proceed  by  the  high-road  to  Quimper 
and  await  her  husband  and  his  companions. 

When  her  carriage  had  disappeared  in  the  distance, 
Lou  vet  and  his  friends  began  their  three  days'  march. 
They  numbered  nineteen  in  all.  There  was  Petion, 
Barbaroux,  Salle,  Buzot,  Lesage,  Bergoeing,  Cussy, 
Giroux,  Meillan,  Girey-Dupre,  and  Riouffe,  a  young 
journalist  who  had  joined  them  at  Caen.  He  was 
destined  to  escape  the  guillotine  by  a  miracle ;  to 
write  a  wonderful  book  describing  prison  life  under 
the  Terror  ;  to  pronounce  Louvet's  funeral  oration  ; 
and  to  die  a  Baron  of  the  Empire.  Besides  these, 
there  were  the  six  guides,  and  Buzot's  servant 
Joseph,  who  had  refused  to  leave  his  master.  Guadet, 
who  had  left  the  battalion  at  Dinan,  was  inadvertently 
left  behind,  and  was  fortunate  in  making  his  way 
unrecognized  by  the  high-road  to  Quimper.  There 
is  a  shade  of  irritation  in  Louvet's  reference  to  his 

225  15 


LOUVET 

friend's  imprudence,  attributable,  no  doubt,  to  a 
highly  nervous  state,  for  he  had  a  brother's  regard  for 
Guadet,  and  this  feeling  was  warmly  reciprocated. 
Guadet's  little  girl  was  christened  Lodoiska.  Others 
of  Lou  vet's  companions  failing  to  put  in  an  appear- 
ance were  Valady,  who  had  stayed  behind  with  a 
friend  and  succeeded  in  rejoining  them  later ; 
Larividre,  who  for  some  time  had  found  a  hiding- 
place  near  Falaise ;  Duchatel  and  Kervelegan,  who, 
as  we  have  seen,  had  preceded  them  to  Quimper 
to  prepare  a  place  for  them ;  Mollevaut,  who  also 
had  left  them  a  few  days  previously ;  the  young 
Spaniard  Marchena,  the  inseparable  friend  of  Brissot ; 
and  finally,  Gorsas,  the  journalist,  with  his  young 
daughter,  had  gone  to  some  trusty  friends  at  Rennes, 
whom,  however,  he  soon  rashly  quitted  to  proceed 
to  Paris,  and  paid  for  his  temerity  with  his  life. 

The  fugitives  took  the  main  road  as  far  as  Jugon, 
and  then  cut  across  country.  At  nightfall  they 
reached  a  solitary  farm.  In  the  kitchen  they  found 
supper  laid  for  them,  consisting  of  a  small  hare,  brown 
bread,  and  bad  cider,  yet  they  ate  heartily  of  this 
meagre  fare,  and  then  retired  to  sleep  on  the  straw 
in  an  adjoining  barn.  They  passed  a  good  night, 
and  daybreak  found  them  again  on  the  move. 

Having  carefully  avoided  the  town  of  Lamballe, 
their  route  lay  through  a  few  wretched  hamlets, 
in  passing  which  nineteen  armed  men  need  have 
no  fear,  and  one  or  two  small  towns  where  they 
deemed  it  prudent  to  make  a  detour ;  but  a  mistake 
of  one  of  the  guides  brought  them  so  close  to  Mon- 
contour  that  it  was  impossible  to  turn  aside  without 

226 


LOUVET 

arousing  suspicion.  To  add  to  their  danger  it  was 
market  day,  and  the  place  was  filled  with  some 
fifteen  hundred  peasants  and  a  strong  force  of 
National  Guards.  They  passed  through  the  town 
with  an  assurance  they  were  far  from  feeling.  Riouffe, 
a  bad  walker,  following  at  some  distance  from  the 
others,  was  arrested,  and  after  reading  his  discharge, 
a  soldier  seemed  inclined  to  take  him  to  the  town 
hall ;  but  he  pointed  to  his  comrades,  and  said  : 
"  How  am  I  to  overtake  them  ?  "  The  soldier  let 
him  go. 

They  had  barely  left  Moncontour  when  they  were 
joined  by  Boetidoux,  a  good  friend,  though  a  Royalist, 
who  had  been  a  member  of  the  Constituent  Assembly.* 
He  was  lavish  in  his  expressions  of  delight  at  seeing 
them,  which,  however,  they  could  not  help  thinking 
were,  under  the  critical  circumstances,  singularly  in- 
discreet. 

Uneasy  at  their  non-arrival  at  Rennes,  he  had 
come  out  to  look  for  them.  At  Lamballe  he  had 
come  across  Lodoiska,  and  she  had  told  him  of  the 
change  in  their  plans.  He  said  that  the  road 
they  were  taking  was  exceedingly  dangerous,  and 
that  it  would  be  much  safer  to  go  to  Rennes.  He 
then  told  them  to  wait  for  him  at  some  cottages 
which  he  pointed  out  in  the  distance,  whilst  he  went 
to  fetch  some  provisions,  of  which  they  were  in  great 
need.  After  a  delay  of  an  hour,  he  returned  with  a 
scanty  supply  of  food,  which  very  soon  disappeared. 
He  next  warned  his  friends  that  some  of  them  had 
been  recognized  at  Moncontour,  and  he  himself 

*  H£rissay,  Un  Girondin  :  Franfois  Nicolas  Buzot. 
227  15* 


LOUVET 

had  heard  the  words,  "  There  is  Buzot.  There  is 
Petion."  He  again  strongly  advised  them  to  revert 
to  their  original  plan,  but  they  rejected  the  proposal. 
As  it  was  at  the  heat  of  the  day,  and  they  had  already 
walked  many  miles,  he  suggested  that  they  should 
take  a  rest  until  four  o'clock  in  a  thick  wood 
situated  at  a  short  distance,  when  one  of  his 
nephews  would  bring  them  more  food,  and  then 
conduct  them  to  the  house  of  a  relative,  six  or  seven 
miles  further  on. 

There  Boetidoux  himself  would  await  them,  and  they 
would  be  sure  of  comfortable  beds  and  could  take  a 
good  night's  rest  in  perfect  security.  The  offer  was 
too  tempting,  and  was  accepted,  though  Louvet  and 
Meillan,  who  did  not  altogether  trust  their  talkative 
friend,  would  far  rather  have  continued  their  journey 
with  the  soldiers  for  guides.  When  he  had  gone, 
after  conducting  them  to  the  copse,  they  lay  flat  on 
the  ground  hoping  to  escape  observation.  But  for 
long  they  were  much  disquieted  by  a  number  of 
children  coming  to  play  near  where  they  were  con- 
cealed. The  children  were  at  last  driven  off  by  a 
rain-storm,  which  wetted  the  fugitives  to  the  skin. 
It  was  five  o'clock  when  Boetidoux's  nephew  gave  the 
appointed  signal ;  and  even  then  he  had  a  quarter 
of  an  hour's  business  in  the  neighbouring  village 
which  took  him  an  hour  and  a  half  to  do. 

When  at  last  they  made  a  start,  night  was  fast 
coming  on.  They  walked  for  a  long  time  and  still 
seemed  far  from  their  destination.  At  ten  o'clock 
the  volunteers,  who,  confiding  in  the  new  guide,  had 
scarcely  noticed  the  direction  in  which  they  were 

228 


LOUVET 

being  taken,  observed  that  he  was  about  to  lead  them 
into  quite  a  large  town.     The  Deputies  declared  that 
they  would   not  trust  themselves  to  pass  that  way. 
They  finally  went   round  the  town,  giving  it  as  wide 
a  berth  as  possible.     Even  at  that  distance  they  dis- 
tinctly heard  the  drums  beating. 
"  That's  the  tattoo,"  said  the  nephew. 
"  The  tattoo,"  answered  Louvet,  "  is  never  beaten 
at  this  time." 

They  listened ;  there  could  be  no  doubt  about  it, 
the  drums  were  beating  to  arms.  The  guide  tried  to 
persuade  them  that  the  tattoo  was  always  beaten  so 
in  that  neighbourhood. 

But  they  got  round  the  town  unobserved,  and 
were  soon  after  met  by  Boetidoux,  who  conducted 
them  to  his  relative's  house,  as  he  had  promised. 
The  latter  welcomed  them  heartily,  though  he  seemed 
surprised  at  their  arrival.  It  was  then  discovered 
that  Boetidoux  had  forgotten  to  apprise  him  of  their 
visit.  After  a  hastily  improvised  supper,  they  retired 
to  rest  on  five  mattresses  which  they  spread  out  in 
the  room  allotted  to  them.  On  leaving  them  Boeti- 
doux locked  them  in  and  did  not  return  until  eight 
o'clock  to  release  them,  when  he  complained  that 
they  had  made  too  much  noise.  He  increased  their 
alarm  by  saying  that  an  administrator  of  a  neigh- 
bouring district  had  lodged  in  the  room  overhead. 
This  man  was  no  friend  to  the  cause,  and  if  he  had 
overheard  them  they  had  the  worst  to  fear.  Their 
host  gave  them  an  excellent  breakfast,  and  after 
Boetidoux  had  again  vainly  pressed  them  to  make  for 
Rennes,  the  fugitives  resumed  their  journey.  Lesage, 

229 


LOUVET 

who  had  severely  sprained  his  ankle,  and  Giroux, 
who  was  suddenly  taken  ill,  were  left  behind.  Both 
were  destined  to  escape  the  scaffold  which  claimed 
so  many  of  their  friends,  and  to  return  to  the  Conven- 
tion after  the  gth  Thermidor. 


230 


CHAPTER  XX 

The  flight  continued — In  the  name  of  the  law  ! — A  game  of  bluff 
— The  Girondists  fix  bayonets — Louvet  explains  a  point  of 
caligraphy — Dansons  la  Carmagnole  ! — A  terrible  march — 
Louvet  drinks  with  mine  host,  and  gets  news — The  fugitives 
reach  Carhaix — What  befel  them  there — Their  miserable  plight 
— They  reach  Quimper — Arrest  and  escape  of  Lodoiska. 

PURSUING  their  journey  throughout  the  day, 
nightfall  brought  the  little  band  of  fugitives 
to  a  village  about  two  miles  from  Rostrenen,  at  that 
period  the  chief  town  of  a  district  in  the  Department 
of  the  C6tes-du-Nord.  As  it  was  necessary  to  make 
a  circuit  to  avoid  this  town,  and  some  of  the  party 
were  already  overcome  with  fatigue,  it  was  decided 
to  call  a  halt  at  the  village  for  the  night.  The  seven- 
teen took  up  their  quarters  in  a  spacious  barn.  At 
one  o'clock  in  the  morning  they  were  startled  from 
their  slumber  by  the  words  : 

"  Open,  in  the  name  of  the  law  !  " 

The  place  was  in  complete  darkness.  One  of  them 
ran  to  the  door,  peeped  out,  and  immediately  locked 
it. 

"  The  house  is  surrounded,"  he  whispered. 

A  threatening  voice  now  repeated  : 

"  Open,  in  the  name  of  the  law  !  " 

For  some  moments  there  was  silence  whilst  the 
fugitives  quickly  dressed  themselves ;  then  their 
reply  rang  out  like  a  pistol  shot : 

"  To  arms  !  "  . 

231 


From  below  the  command  to  open  came  with  less 
assurance. 

"  We  will  come  out  as  soon  as  we  are  ready,"  they 
replied. 

Adapting  himself  to  the  character  he  had  assumed, 
Louvet  says  he  roared  as  lustily  as  a  Cordelier  ;  mean- 
time he  hunted  for  his  musket,  which  had  got  buried 
in  the  straw.  When  they  were  fully  armed,  they 
opened  the  door,  and  a  little  fat  man  in  a  tricolour 
ribband  strutted  in,  followed  by  a  considerable 
number  of  National  Guards,  all  bearing  torches. 

"  What  are  you  doing  there  ?  "  gruffly  demanded 
the  administrator  of  the  district. 
"  Sleeping,"  answered  Barbaroux. 
"  Why  in  a  barn  ?  " 

"  We  should  certainly  have  preferred  your  bed," 
said  Louvet. 

"  Who  are  you,  Mr.  Jester  ?  " 

"  A  tired  volunteer,  like  the  rest  of  us,  who  hardly 
expected  to  be  roused  so  early  in  the  morning,"  said 
Riouffe  with  a  laugh  ;  "  but  scarcely  a  mister,  as  you 
can  see  for  yourself." 

"  You  soldiers  !     We  shall  soon  see  about  that." 
"  You  certainly  will,"  gaily  answered  the  Breton 
trooper   whom    the    fugitives    had   elected   as   their 
commander. 

"  Show  me  your  papers,"  resumed  the  adminis- 
trator. 

"  In  the  market-place,  by  all  means,  citizen,  if  you 
desire  it,"  answered  Petion. 

"  Yes,  we  are  not  going  to  explain  ourselves  in 
this  barn,"  said  another. 

232 


LOUVET 

"  By  your  leave,"   said  the   captain   of  the   little 
band,  pushing  back  the  administrator ;   and  reaching 
the  open,  he  shouted  : 
"  Forward,  Finistere  !  " 

In  a  moment  they  were  outside,  drawn  up  in  line 
with  shouldered  muskets.  The  magistrate  was  taken 
by  surprise.  He  had  expected  to  find  a  dozen  fine 
gentlemen  in  dressing-gowns,  attended  by  four  or 
five  armed  men.  Yet  he  was  a  cautious  man,  for 
beside  the  guards,  he  had  in  his  rear  a  body  of  cavalry 
and  a  brigade  of  foot  soldiers.  But,  undaunted  by 
their  inferiority  of  numbers,  the  seventeen  prepared 
to  die  gamely  if  it  came  to  a  fight,  for  they  knew 
that  defeat  would  mean  the  scaffold.  Louvet  quietly 
loaded  a  blunderbuss,  made  to  fire  twenty  shots  at 
once.  It  was  one  of  Lodo'iska's  gifts.  These  prepara- 
tions were  not  without  effect  on  their  opponents. 

"  They  are  armed  from  head  to  foot,"  muttered 
a  citizen  soldier  uneasily. 

"  Why  have  you  so  many  weapons  ?  "  at  length 
asked  a  bolder  spirit. 

"  You  know  as  well  as  we  do,"  answered  Buzot, 
"  that  there  are  scoundrels  in  this  district  who  delight 
in  annoying  the  Departmental  troops,  and  we  were 
determined  that  even  if  they  did  not  like  us  they 
should  at  least  respect  us." 

"  I  don't  believe  those  fellows  ever  go  to  sleep," 
said  Louvet,  running  his  eye  contemptuously  over 
the  ranks  of  the  enemy. 

"  Oh  !  we'll  soon  send  them  to  sleep,"  answered 
Barbaroux  gaily. 

Meanwhile  the  magistrate  carefully  examined  the 
233 


LOUVET 

discharges,  which  were  handed  to  him  one  by  one. 
When  he  had  finished,  he  remarked  irritably  that 
they  were  all  in  the  same  handwriting. 

"  That,"  answered  Louvet,  "  is  because  our  com- 
mandant always  writes  with  the  same  hand,  and  had 
each  of  us  forged  his  discharge  they  would  obviously 
be  in  different  handwriting." 

"  Well,  gentlemen,"  said  he  at  last,  "  what  do  you 
mean  to  do  now  ?  For  my  part,  I  would  advise  you 
to  go  to  bed  again." 

But  they  were  not  to  be  so  easily  caught.  They 
said  that  since  they  had  been  turned  out  so  early 
they  would  avail  themselves  of  the  mishap  by  pushing 
on  to  their  destination. 

The  magistrate  stepped  aside  to  speak  with  some 
officers,  and  said  they  could  do  as  they  wished,  but 
it  was  absolutely  necessary  that  they  should  report 
themselves  at  Rostrenen,  where  they  were  expected. 
He  said  they  would  have  to  march  with  an  advance 
guard  of  twelve  soldiers  and  a  rear  guard  of  some 
forty  others.  Directly  these  threatening  dispositions 
were  made  known  to  the  fugitives,  their  captain's 
voice  rang  out :  "  Fix  bayonets  !  "  The  command 
was  instantly  obeyed.  An  ancient  regard  for  his 
skin  set  the  worthy  administrator  in  a  tremble,  and 
he  said  in  a  low  voice  : 

"  You  surely  do  not  mean  to  offer  resistance 
to " 

"  Oppression,  certainly,"  interrupted  Cussy  of  Cal- 
vados. "  Are  we  free,  or  are  we  not  ?  " 

"  If  we  wished  to  treat  you  as  prisoners  we  should 
deprive  you  of  your  arms." 

234 


LOUVET 

"  And  that  you  cannot  do  until  you  have  deprived 
us  of  our  lives,"  said  Petion. 

"  What  !  "  cried  one  of  their  soldier  friends,  all 
of  whom  had  fought  in  La  Vendee.  "  You  disarm  us  ! 
There  are  a  good  many  of  you,  but  not  enough  to 
do  that !  " 

"  But,  citizens,  will  you  not  come  with  us  to 
Rostrenen  ?  " 

"  Certainly  we  will,  for  that  is  on  our  way ;  still, 
we  shah1  be  on  our  guard." 

"  Do  you  suppose  we  have  hostile  intentions  ?  " 

"  We  can  only  judge  by  your  acts ;  how  should 
we  know  who  you  are  ?  " 

'  You  will  know  us  when  we  get  to  Rostrenen." 

"  Well,  let  us  get  on." 

On  the  road  the  fugitives  sang  the  Marseillaise 
at  the  top  of  their  voices,  as  their  Girondist  friends, 
whom  they  had  left  in  Paris,  were  so  soon  to  sing  it 
on  the  way  to  the  guillotine.  They  were  not  at  all 
easy  as  to  the  kind  of  reception  they  would  meet 
with  in  Rostrenen,  and  they  silently  laid  their  plans. 
From  time  to  time  a  soldier  of  their  escort  would 
approach  and  question  them.  One  asked  Louvet  if 
he  had  seen  Charlotte  Corday  at  Caen. 

"  Our  battalion  had  not  arrived  there  at  the  time 
of  the  murder,"  he  replied. 

"  It  was  the  deed  of  an  assassin,"  remarked  the 
soldier. 

"  Corday  was  a  Brutus,  but  Marat  was  no  Caesar," 
enigmatically  answered  Louvet ;  and  then,  fearing 
more  embarrassing  questions,  he  started  singing 
Dansons  la  Carmagnole  at  the  top  of  his  voice.  These 

235 


LOUVET 

patriotic  songs  helped  to  allay  suspicion,  and  by 
the  time  they  reached  the  communal  hall  they  were 
on  quite  good  terms  with  many  of  the  guards  forming 
their  escort.  In  that  building  all  the  magistrates 
were  assembled,  and  these,  after  a  perfunctory  ex- 
amination of  their  papers,  set  them  at  liberty,  and 
suggested  an  adjournment  to  a  neighbouring  cafe 
where  the  entente  was  confirmed  over  tankards  of 
cider.  During  this  function  one  of  the  magistrates 
showed  the  following  letter,  which  had  recently  been 
received  by  the  municipality,  in  explanation  of  their 
detention,  and  perhaps  to  watch  its  effect  upon  them 
as  a  final  test : 

"  I  beg  to  advise  you  that  Petion,  Buzot,  Bar- 
baroux,  Louvet,  Meillan,  Salle  and  some  other 
Deputies,  accompanied  by  five  soldiers  of  the  Finis- 
tere  battalion,  are  on  the  road  to  Quimper.  Last 
night  they  slept  at  ;  they  left  there  this  morn- 
ing, and  will  reach  your  district  this  evening.  I 
warn  you  in  order  that  they  may  be  arrested " 

The  administrator  then  broke  off  reading  and  said : 

"  So  you  see,  gentlemen,  that  we  really  had  some 
reason  to  suspect  you." 

They  received  this  communication  with  a  well- 
feigned  roar  of  laughter,  and  again  striking  up  the 
Carmagnole,  withdrew  from  an  interview  which  was 
fast  becoming  dangerous,  and  left  the  town  without 
opposition. 

The  incident  had  been  startling  enough,  showing 
them  the  necessity  of  pressing  forward  with  the  least 

236 


LOUVET 

possible  delay,  for  it  was  clear  that  the  news  of  their 
flight  had  preceded  them,  and  the  least  imprudence 
or  the  most  trivial  accident  might  ruin  them.  Once 
outside  Rostrenen,  they  left  the  highway  and  crossed 
a  barren  heath,  where  for  some  twenty  miles  they 
could  find  nothing  but  a  wayside  brook,  at  long 
intervals,  to  quench  their  thirst.  To  add  to  their 
troubles,  from  eight  o'clock  the  sun  grew  intolerably 
hot,  and  most  of  the  outlaws  felt  ready  to  drop. 

Buzot  was  obliged  to  throw  aside  his  weapons,  and 
even  then  had  the  greatest  difficulty  in  keeping  on  his: 
legs  ;  a  severe  attack  of  the  gout  made  Cussy  groan 
at  every  step  he  took ;  Riouffe  was  compelled  to  take 
off  his  boots  which  pinched  him,  his  feet  were  soon 
covered  with  blood,  and  he  was  obliged  to  borrow 
an  old  pair  of  shoes  belonging  to  Buzot's  servant ; 
and,  lastly,  Barbaroux,  who  at  twenty-eight  was 
as  corpulent  as  a  man  of  forty,  suffered  from  a  bad 
sprain,  and  could  drag  himself  along  only  by  leaning 
on  Louvet,  Petion,  or  Salle.  In  this  plight  they 
wearily  tramped  mile  after  mile. 

At  a  little  before  noon  they  came  to  a  hamlet, 
where  they  were  refreshed  by  a  meagre  dinner  at  a 
wayside  inn,  and,  above  all,  by  an  hour's  rest. 
During  the  meal,  Louvet,  who  had  borne  the  march 
better  than  his  companions,  noticed  that  the  host 
eyed  them  narrowly ;  this  was  more  than  enough 
to  arouse  his  ever-ready  suspicion,  and  he  at  once 
invited  the  man  to  drink  a  glass  of  cider  with  him, 
which  he  at  first  refused  ;  but  having  at  length  been 
persuaded  to  take  one,  was  tempted  to  take  a  second, 
a  third,  and  then  others.  These  soon  had  the  desired 

237 


LOUVET 

effect,  and  rendered  him  talkative.  He  opened  the 
conversation  by  saying  : 

"  I  am  delighted  to  see  you,  citizens,  for  I  believe 
you  are  all  good  patriots." 

"  Of  course  we  are." 

"  Yet  what  enemies  people  have  to  be  sure  !  From 
the  description  they  gave  me  I  am  sure  you  are  the 
persons  they  are  after.  Two  brigades  of  infantry  are 
lying  in  wait  for  you  at  Carhaix,  and  you  can't  help 
passing  through  there." 

They  again  set  off,  but  in  spite  of  the  urgency  of 
the  danger,  the  lame  ones  among  them  lagged  behind 
more  than  ever.  Riouffe  especially  suffered  such 
torture  that  he  was  obliged  to  stop  every  few  minutes. 
Yet  nightfall  found  them  on  the  outskirts  of  Carhaix, 
which  town  they  were  compelled  to  traverse  for 
fear  of  losing  their  way  in  the  surrounding  marshes. 
They  threw  themselves  on  the  ground  to  discuss  the 
situation.  Some  of  the  lame  ones  voted  for  sleep 
at  any  price. 

"  If  we  must  die,"  said  Cussy,  "  I  would  rather 
die  here  than  ten  miles  further  on,"  and  he  turned 
over  and  went  to  sleep. 

But  Louvet,  supported  by  Barbaroux,  vehemently 
besought  them  to  make  a  dash  through  the  town  at 
once,  when  there  was  a  chance  of  their  getting  through 
without  being  observed.  This  was  eventually  agreed 
to,  and  in  a  compact  body  they  marched  quietly  down 
a  side  street.  All  was  silent.  Suddenly  a  door  opened, 
a  light  gleamed  through,  and  a  girl  on  the  threshold 
said  distinctly  :  "  Look  1  they  are  passing  by  !  " 

Finding  that  they  were  discovered,  they  doubled 
238 


LOUVET 

their  pace,  and  immediately  wheeled  to  the  left,  down 
a  narrow  hollow  way,  where  it  was  impossible  to  see 
more  than  a  foot  before  them.  "  I  hear  horses," 
said  one.  The  pressing  danger  nerved  even  the 
weakest  of  them  to  make  one  more  effort.  The  last 
houses  were  soon  left  behind,  and  they  found  them- 
selves on  a  smooth,  broad  high-road,  bordered  on 
each  side  by  thick  hedges,  from  the  cover  of  which 
they  thought  they  could  safely  defy  all  the  National 
Guards  in  the  Department. 

A  short  halt  was  called,  and  they  listened  for  the 
pursuit,  but  could  hear  nothing.  It  was  then  dis- 
covered that  two  of  their  guides  were  missing ! 
They  lay  down  in  the  grass  for  an  hour  and  waited 
for  them.  But  they  did  not  return. 

It  was  clear  that  their  guides  had  taken  a  turning 
in  the  dark  which  they  had  not  noticed.  This 
was  the  more  awkward  because  the  remaining  guides 
were  strangers  to  that  part  of  the  country.  It  was 
decided  to  take  a  short  cut  across  fields  to  the  place 
where  their  companions  must  have  left  them.  They 
slowly  struggled  over  a  tract  of  waste  land,  full  of 
pitfalls,  and  intersected  by  thick  hedges,  which  tore 
their  flesh  and  rent  their  clothes  ;  there  were  ditches 
to  leap  and  marshes  to  cross,  and  sometimes  they 
were  up  to  their  knees  in  slush.  After  two  hours  of 
indescribable  misery,  bruised,  crippled  and  utterly 
worn  out,  they  struck  the  high-road  some  miles  nearer 
to  Carhaix  than  they  were  before  !  They  wondered 
whether,  after  all,  they  had  taken  the  right  road. 
Bergoeing  and  another  volunteered  to  go  back  to  the 
town  in  order  to  find  this  out.  In  a  quarter  of  an 

239 


LOUVET 

hour  they  returned,  having  been  unable  to  discover 
another  road.  Sick  at  heart,  the  fugitives  retraced 
their  steps,  almost  too  weary  to  trouble  whether 
they  were  on  the  right  road  for  Quimper  or  not.  For 
half  an  hour  they  dragged  themselves  along,  and 
then,  unable  to  go  further,  threw  themselves  on  the 
grass  and  at  once  fell  asleep.  An  hour  passed,  and 
they  were  again  on  the  march.  At  dawn  they  found 
that  another  of  their  guides  had  disappeared  ;  they 
thought  he  must  have  been  asleep,  unperceived,  when 
they  left  their  last  halting-place.  It  was  impossible 
to  go  back  for  him,  and  in  any  case  he  could  proceed 
to  Quimper  alone  without  danger.  This  reduced  the 
little  company  to  fourteen. 

Fainting  with  hunger,  and  falling  at  every  few  steps, 
they  pursued  their  march,  sometimes  reaching  a  way- 
side cottage,  where  they  hoped  to  find  relief ;  but  they 
were  no  sooner  observed  than  all  doors  were  closed 
against  them.  At  last  they  met  a  wayfarer,  who 
informed  them  that  they  were  on  the  road  to 
Quimper,  which  was  about  four  miles  distant. 

Even  now  their  troubles  were  not  at  an  end, 
for  it  was  unsafe  to  advance  nearer  to  the  town 
without  communicating  with  Kervelegan,  and  the 
two  guides  whom  they  had  lost  outside  Carhaix 
alone  knew  the  place  where  he  had  arranged  to 
meet  them.  They  resolved  to  send  their  only 
remaining  guide  to  Quimper  to  seek  out  their 
friend.  He  left  them  at  eight  o'clock,  after  hiding 
them  as  well  as  he  might  in  a  thick  wood  close 
to  the  road.  Even  under  the  most  favourable  cir- 
cumstances he  could  not  hope  to  be  back  for  three 

240 


LOUVET 

or  four  hours.  It  now  began  to  rain  in  torrents,  and 
the  fugitives  were  soon  drenched  to  the  skin.  They 
had  eaten  nothing  for  over  thirty  hours.  Huddling 
together  for  warmth,  their  spirits  wavered.  The 
habitual  gaiety  of  Riouffe  and  Girey-Dupre  now  for- 
sook them,  though  one  or  other  occasionally  achieved 
a  sickly  smile.  Cussy  and  Salle  railed  against  nature  ; 
Buzot  lost  heart,  and  even  the  heroic  soul  of  Bar- 
baroux  grew  depressed.  For  a  moment  Louvet 
thought  of  ending  his  misery  with  the  pistol  which 
Lodoiska  had  given  him,  but  he  could  not  bear  the 
idea  of  never  seeing  her  again.  Petion,  whose 
character  in  the  days  of  his  prosperity  had  been 
distinguished  for  ineffable  fatuity,  alone  rose  to  the 
occasion,  and  bore  every  adversity  with  admirable 
fortitude. 

Twenty  minutes  later  the  soldier  returned,  accom- 
panied by  Abgral,  one  of  the  chief  magistrates  of  the 
Quimper  district  and  a  faithful  friend  of  their  cause, 
whom  by  a  happy  chance  he  had  met  riding  out  to 
look  for  them.  Forgetting  his  hunger,  fatigue  and 
other  misfortunes,  Louvet  ran  forward  to  inquire 
after  Lodoiska.  After  meeting  Boetidoux  she  had 
proceeded  on  her  journey  ;  but  at  St.  Brieux  she 
found  a  denunciation  had  got  there  before  her  and 
she  was  at  once  arrested.  Her  address  and  the 
steadiness  of  her  answers  alone  saved  her,  and  after 
a  severe  cross-examination  by  the  municipal 
authorities,  she  was  released  and  allowed  to  continue 
her  journey. 


241  16 


CHAPTER  XXI 

A  humane  priest — Mme.  Roland's  last  letter  to  Buzot — The  out- 
laws separate — Barbaroux  down  with  the  smallpox — Lodo'iska's 
harbour  of  refuge — Louvet's  hiding-place — An  expansive  lover 
— The  delights  of  Penhars — Seven  of  the  outlaws  sail  for  Bor- 
deaux— What  happened  to  them — Louvet's  change  of  residence — 
He  composes  his  Hymne  d  la  Mart — A  dramatic  exit — Louvet 
meets  an  "  admirable  Crichton  " — Lodoiska  returns  to  Paris — 
A  dash  for  the  sea — Suspense — The  outlaws  search  for  their 
ship  in  an  open  boat — A  sleepless  night — The  good  ship 
Industrie — A  dour  Scot — The  fugitives  run  the  gauntlet  of  the 
Brest  Fleet — They  prepare  for  a  fight — A  mutinous  crew — 
Grainger  lies  stoutly — The  white  cliffs  of  Saintonge — The  Giron- 
dists escape  in  the  ship's  boat — Perilous  seas — The  promised 
land,  and  what  they  found  there. 

ABGRAL  first  conducted  his  friends  to  a  peasant's 
cottage,  where  they  broke  their  long  fast  with 
brown  bread  washed  down  with  a  little  brandy. 
Never  was  repast  so  delicious  !  After  this  refresh- 
ment they  were  taken  to  the  house  of  a  constitutional 
priest,  to  whom  they  were  introduced  as  soldiers 
returning  from  the  pursuit  of  refractory  persons  ! — 
from  which  it  is  clear  that  his  hardships  had  tempo- 
rarily obscured  even  Louvet's  imagination.  Happily 
the  good  priest's  humanity  got  the  better  of  his 
suspicion,  if  he  entertained  any ;  and  he  warmed, 
dried,  fed,  and  hid  them  until  nightfall,  when  they 
made  for  a  neighbouring  wood,  where  horses  awaited 
those  who  were  too  lame  to  walk.  It  was  then 
deemed  prudent  to  separate.  The  parting  was  a 
painful  one,  for  the  common  dangers  they  had  run 

242 


• 


had  united  the  fugitives  in  the  warmest  friendship — 
there  were  tears  and  embraces  and  vows  of  eternal 
affection.  Buzot  was  received  into  the  household  of 
"  a  worthy  man  "  in  the  environs  of  Quimper,  where 
he  received  the  last  pathetic  letter  from  Mme.  Roland, 
ostensibly  addressed  to  the  husband  of  her  convent 
friend,  Sophie  Cannet,  and  cleverly  disguised  as  an 
ordinary  business  communication  relative  to  a  con- 
signment of  merchandise  to  America — a  discovery 
we  owe  to  the  critical  acumen  of  M.  Faugere.* 

Petion  and  Guadet  found  refuge  at  a  neighbouring 
country  seat,  where  they  were  soon  joined  by  Valady 
and  Marchena.  Salle,  Bergoeing,  Meillan,  Cussy,  and 
Girey-Dupre  went  to  Kervelegan's ;  whilst  Louvet 
and  his  inseparable  Barbaroux,  accompanied  by 
Riouffe,  were  welcomed  by  M.  de  la  Hubaudiere,  an 
intrepid  defender  of  their  cause.  Here  Barbaroux 
was  stricken  with  smallpox  and  was  medically  treated 
without  being  recognized ;  and  here,  during  his  con- 
valescence, he  composed  the  first  part  of  his 
memoirs. 

As  for  Louvet,  the  day  after  his  arrival  he  received  a 
visit  from  his  dear  Lodoiiska,  who  told  him  she  had 
succeeded  in  finding  a  charming  little  country  house 
in  the  Commune  of  Penhars,  about  a  mile  from 
Quimper,  where,  in  spite  of  the  dangers  which  threat- 
ened on  every  side,  they  might  hope  to  snatch  a 
few  days'  happiness  in  each  other's  society.  Louvet 
thereupon  begged  forgiveness  of  Barbaroux  for  leaving 
him  that  he  might  fly  to  Lodo'iska's  harbour  of  refuge, 
and  enjoy,  as  he  puts  it,  "  the  dear  delights  of  that 

*  Faugere,  Mfmoires  et  letires  de  Mme.  Roland. 

243  16* 


LOUVET 

true  love,  at  once  passionate  and  tender,  happy 
and  respectful,  constant  yet  ever  new,  which  she 
inspired  and  as  warmly  reciprocated." 

He  found  that  she  had  constructed  an  impenetrable 
retreat  in  case  of  attack.  "  Louvet's  hiding-place  " 
is  still  pointed  out  to  the  sight-seer  of  to-day.* 

Some  think  with  Lucetta — 

".  s  -.   They  love  least  that  let  men  know  their  love." 

Others  with  Julia,  that — 

"  They  do  not  love  that  do  not  show  their  love." 

Both  are,  of  course,  wrong.     It  is  purely  a  matter  of 
temperament. 

There    is    the    reticent    lover,    and    there    is     the 

expansive   lover.     The   first   thought   of   the  former 

is  to  shut  out  all  others  from  his  joy,  that,   like  a 

miser,   he  may  gloat  over    his  treasure  in  private  ; 

whilst  the  latter,  like  a  man  bubbling  over  with  a 

good  story,  cannot  rest  until  he  has  told  it  to  his 

friend,  and,   failing  him,  to    the  first-comer  with  a 

sympathetic   face.     Louvet   belonged   to   the   second 

category.     For  him  the  story  of  Gyges  and  Candaules 

had  no  terrors.     He  took  the  whole  world  into  his 

confidence — he    may  have    thought  that  there  was 

safety  in  numbers  ;   and,  besides,  Lodoiska  was  not  a 

Queen  of  Lydia.     His   account  of  the  delights  that 

Lodoiska  had  prepared  for  him  at  Penhars  is  a  long 

one,  and  he  had  now  fully  recovered  his  imaginative 

faculty,  so  I  will  pass  on  without  troubling  the  reader 

with  the  details. 

*  Vatel,  Charlotte  de  Corday  el  les  Girondins. 
244 


LOUVET 

Meanwhile,  the  emissaries  of  the  Mountain  had  got 
wind  of  the  Girondists'  presence  in  Quimper,  and  a 
great  effort  was  made  to  track  them  down.    Towards 
the  end  of  August  the  pursuit  became  so  hot  that  on 
the   twenty-first    Meillan,    Bergoeing,    Salle,    Riouffe, 
Duchatel,    Girey-Dupre   and   Marchena,   after   vainly 
trying  to  persuade  the  others  to  join  them,  embarked 
on  an  almost  unseaworthy  ship  for  Bordeaux.     They 
reached  their  destination  in  safety,  'but  then  fortune 
turned  against  them.     Within  a  few  days  of  landing 
the   four   last-named   fell   into   the   hands    of    their 
enemies.     Riouffe  and  Marchena*  were  led  in  chains 
to  Paris  and  cast  into  prison,  where  they  were  happily 
overlooked.     Duchatel    and    Girey-Dupre    were    con- 
demned without  trial,  and  forthwith  perished  on  the 
scaffold. 

Nor  was  Louvet  for  long  left  in  peace.  A  Maratist 
faction  had  succeeded  in  getting  the  upper  hand  in 
the  local  club.  His  health,  therefore,  counselled  a 
change  of  residence.  He  was  received  as  a  boarder 
into  a  private  house  four  miles  out  of  the  town.  Torn 
from  his  friends,  and,  above  all,  from  Lodo'iska,  he 
thought  the  end  had  come.  He  set  himself  to  com- 
pose his  Hymne  de  Mort.  Apart  from  one  or  two 
songs  in  Faublas  this  is  the  only  specimen  of  his  work 
as  a  poet  which  has  come  down  to  us.  He  had, 
indeed,  prepared  a  volume  of  poems  for  the  press, 
but  this  was  destroyed  about  this  time  by  a  member 

*  Here  he  was  fortunate  enough  to  be  forgotten.  He  lived  to 
confound  the  unwary  bibliographer  by  writing  the  Fragmentum 
Petronii  ex  Bibliothecce  S.  Galli  antiquissimo  MS,  excerptum,  one 
of  the  most  plausible  of  literary  forgeries. 

245 


LOUVET 

of  his  family,  who  feared  that  such  a  possession 
might  compromise  him.  He  intended  to  sing  the 
hymn  on  the  way  to  the  scaffold  if  he  chanced 
to  fall  into  the  hands  of  his  enemies.  It  runs 
thus : 

Des  vils  oppresseurs  de  la  France 
J'ai  denonce  les  attentats  : 
Us  sont  vainqueurs,  et  leur  vengeance 
Ordonne  aussit&t  mon  trepas. 

Libert6  !   Liberte  !    re^ois  done  mon  dernier  hommage  : 
Tyrans,  frappez,  1'homme  libre  enviera  mon  destin  : 
Plut&t  la  mort  que  Pesclavage, 
C'est  le  voeu  d'un  republicain  1 

Si  j'avais  servi  leur  furie, 
Us  m'auraient  prodigue  de  1'or  ; 
J'aimai  mieux  servir  ma  patrie, 
J'aimai  mieux  recevoir  la  mort. 

Libert6  !   Liberte  !   quelle  ame  a  ton  feu  ne  s'anime  ? 
Tyrans,  frappez,  1'homme  libre  enviera  mon  destin : 
Plut6t  la  mort  que  le  crime, 
C'est  le  voeu  d'un  republicain  I 

Que  mon  exemple  vous  inspire, 
Amis,  armez-vous  pour  vos  lois  : 
Avec  les  rois  Collot  conspire, 
^Icrasez  Collot  et  les  rois. 

Robespierre,  et  vous  tous,  vous  tous  que  le  meurtre  accompagne, 
Tyrans,  tremblez,  vous  devez  expier  vos  forfaits  : 
Plut6t  la  mort  que  la  Montague 
Est  le  cri  du  fier  Lyonnais  1 

i  Et  toi  qu'a  regret  je  delaisse, 

Amante  si  chere  a  mon  cceur, 

Bannis  toute  indigne  faiblesse, 

Sois  plus  forte  que  ta  douleur. 
Libert^  !  Liberte  !  ranime  et  soutiens  son  courage  I 

Pour  toi,  pour  moi,  qu'elle  porte  le  poids  de  ses  jours  : 

Son  sein,  peut-etre,  enferme  un  gage, 

L'unique  fruit  de  nos  amours  1 

246 


LOUVET 

Digne  Spouse,  sois  digne  mere,  '  / 

Prends  ton  eleve  en  son  berceau  ! 
Redis-lui  souvent  que  son  pere 
Mourut  du  trepas  le  plus  beau  ! 

Liberte  !  Liberte  !  qu'il  t'offre  son  plus  pure  hommage  • 
Tyrans,  tremblez,  redoutez  un  enfant  genereux  1 
Plut&t  la  mort  que  1'esclavage 
Sera  le  premier  de  ses  voeux  ! 

Que  si  d'un  nouveau  Robespierre 
Ton  pays  etait  tourmente, 
Mon  fils,  ne  venge  point  ton  pere, 
Mon  fils,  venge  la  Liberte  ! 

Liberte  !  Liberte  !  qu'un  succes  meilleur  1'accompagne 
Tyrans,  fuyez,  emportez  vos  enfants  odieux  1 
Plut6t  la  mort  que  la  Montagne 
Sera  le  cri  de  nos  neveux  ! 

Oui,  des  bourreaux  de  1'Abbaye 
Les  succes  affreux  seront  courts  ! 
Un  monstre  effrayait  sa  patrie, 
Une  fille  a  tranche  ses  jours  ! 

Liberte  !   Liberte  !   que  ton  bras  sur  eux  se  promene  i 
Tremblez,  tyrans,  vos  forfaits  appellent  nos  vertus 
Marat  est  mort  charge  de  haine, 
Corday  vit  aupres  de  Brutus  ! 

Mais  la  foule  se  presse  et  crie  ; 
Peuple  infortune,  je  t'entends  1 
Adieu,  ma  famille  cherie. 
Adieu,  mes  amis  de  vingt  ans  ! 
Libert6  !   Liberte  !   pardonne  a  la  foule  abusee  ! 

Mais,  vous,  tyrans  !   le  Midi  peut  encore  vous  punir  : 
Moi,  je  m'en  vais  dans  1'Elysee 
Avec  Sidney  m'entretenir  ! 

It  was  a  dramatic  exit  that  Louvet  had  arranged  for 
himself,  and  the  manner  of  it  would  have  pleased 
him  well ;  but  at  this  time  he  was  not  called  upon 
to  make  it.  Indeed,  he  had  scarcely  put  the  finishing 
touches  to  his  poem,  when  a  National  Guard,  who 
had  already  shown  his  humanity  by  assisting  Lodoiska 

247 


LOUVET 

at  the  time  of  her  arrest,  came  to  tell  him  that  she 
had  taken  refuge  with  his  family,  and  to  invite  him 
to  share  her  retreat.  This  good  news  was  more  than 
sufficient  to  shake  off  his  gloomy  forebodings.  Louvet 
soon  discovered  that  his  new  friend  was  a  very  re- 
markable man.  He  proved  to  be  a  good  sailor,  a 
good  soldier,  an  able  physician,  an  excellent  car- 
penter, an  ingenious  locksmith,  and  a  pretty  man 
with  his  sword.  Most  of  these  accomplishments 
were  successively  employed  in  the  service  of  his 
friends.  Moreover,  he  was  a  good  husband  and 
father,  and  in  spite  of  their  danger,  the  fugitives 
spent  some  delightful  days  in  the  bosom  of  his 
family. 

The  danger  of  the  whole  household  was  rendered 
more  imminent  by  the  presence  on  the  next  floor 
of  a  violent  sans-culolte,  and  his  comrades  coming  to 
visit  him  often  knocked  by  mistake  at  the  door  of 
the  single  apartment  in  which  Louvet  and  his  wife 
were  concealed.  Besides  this,  there  were  periodical 
domiciliary  visits  to  be  guarded  against.  Before 
many  hours  had  passed  their  host  had  cunningly 
devised  a  secret  chamber  in  the  wall  of  their  room, 
into  which  they  withdrew  at  the  first  alarm.  In  this 
hiding-place  they  spent  many  breathless  moments, 
whilst  their  protector  coolly  engaged  the  govern- 
mental officials  in  conversation.  One  of  these 
emissaries  gave  him  a  good  deal  of  trouble  ;  but 
luckily  he  showed  a  weakness  for  strong  drink,  and 
his  truculence  disappeared  almost  as  quickly  as  the 
National  Guard's  brandy. 

Surely,  as  Louvet  says,  the  man  was  one  in  a  mil- 
248 


LOUVET 

lion.  Yet  one  cannot  help  wondering  whether  he 
did  it  pour  les  beaux  yeux  of  Lodoi'ska.  She  was 
not  beautiful,  but  she  was  one  of  those  women  whom 
no  man  can  look  upon  without  being  to  some  extent 
preoccupied  with  the  consciousness  of  her  sex  ;  and, 
above  all,  she  had  that  subtle  charm  peculiar  to  the 
woman  who  is  passionately  loved.  But  such  inquiries 
must  not  be  pursued  too  closely,  for  that  way  lies 
disillusionment.  "  Good  actions,  like  mermaids,  must 
be  looked  at  philosophically  :  we  have  often  to  shut 
our  eyes  to  the  motives  of  the  former,  and  always  to 
the  tails  of  the  latter." 

On  September  20th,  when  they  had  been  for  three 
weeks  in  the  house  of  their  benefactor,  a  messenger 
came  to  inform  Louvet  that  a  vessel  had  been  pro- 
vided to  convey  him  and  his  friends  to  Bordeaux  ; 
but  that  it  was  found  impossible,  without  jeopardizing 
the  safety  of  all,  to  admit  a  woman  on  board. 
So  Lodo'iska  would  have  to  stay  behind.  At  first  he 
refused  to  go  without  her ;  but  when  she  insisted 
that  such  a  resolution  would  inevitably  ruin  them 
both,  he  at  length  yielded.  It  was  decided  that  she 
should  at  once  set  out  for  Paris  and  collect  the 
remains  of  their  modest  fortune,  and  then  hasten  to 
meet  her  husband  at  Bordeaux.  Their  host's  offer 
to  help  in  her  escape  from  the  town,  and  to  see  her 
well  on  her  way,  was  thankfully  accepted.  Husband 
and  wife  were  again  parted.  I  will  not  attempt  to 
describe  Louvet's  feelings.  He  himself  has  done  so 
at  considerable  length  and  with  great  skill ;  at  such 
moments  he  is  always  eloquent,  but  not  always 
entertaining. 

249 


LOUVET 

It  was  five  o'clock  in  the  evening,  and,  of  course, 
broad  daylight,  when  he  left  the  town  without  being 
recognized,  and  reached  the  place  where  a  horse  and 
a  sure  friend  to  act  as  a  guide  awaited  him.  They 
had  about  thirty  miles  to  travel,  and  it  was  imperative 
that  they  should  be  in  the  boat,  which  was  to  convey 
the  Deputies  to  their  ship,  the  Industrie,  by  eleven 
o'clock  at  the  latest,  as  the  gun  which  was  to  be  the 
signal  for  the  convoy  (of  which  she  was  an  unit)  to 
weigh  anchor,  was  to  be  fired  punctually  at  mid- 
night. 

Five  miles  out  of  Quimper,  Lou  vet  was  joined  by 
Buzot,  Guadet  and  Petion,  but  Barbaroux  kept  them 
waiting  over  an  hour.  In  spite  of  this  delay,  how- 
ever, they  reached  the  sea-shore  well  before  'mid- 
night. Here  the  owners  of  the  Industrie,  the  brothers 
Pouliguen,  well-known  shippers  of  Brest,  awaited 
them.*  These  generous  men,  notwithstanding  the 
gravest  peril,  freely  placed  their  vessel  at  the  disposal 
of  the  Girondists  ;  and,  not  content  with  this,  now 
urged  them  to  accept  their  purses  ;  but  this  the 
Deputies  resolutely  declined  to  do. 

The  party  then  repaired  to  an  inn,  where  supper 
had  been  prepared  for  them.  The  repast  was  hardly 
a  comfortable  one.  In  an  adjoining  room  the  com- 
mandant of  the  fort  on  the  beach  from  which  the 
fugitives  were  to  embark,  was  giving  a  farewell  supper 
to  some  friends.  Luckily  this  company  had  drained 
the  cup  of  memory  so  often  that  most  of  its  members 
had  already  found  oblivion  at  the  bottom.  An 
hour  passed.  But  there  was  still  no  sign  of  the  boat. 

*  Herissay,  Un  Girondin  :   Franfois  Nicolas  Buzot. 
250 


LOUVET 

Each  moment  added  to  their  danger,  and  to  the  risk 
of  missing  the  convoy.  The  suspense  becoming 
intolerable,  one  of  the  Pouliguens  set  off  to  awaken 
some  fishermen  whom  he  knew,  and  by  lavish  pay- 
ment persuaded  them  to  take  the  fugitives  on  board 
a  smack,  and  to  go  in  search  of  the  ship.  The  clock 
struck  one  as  the  fishing-boat  got  under  weigh — 
they  were  an  hour  late  ! 

The  smack  quickly  doubled  a  headland  and  reached 
the  open  sea,  but  not  a  sail  was  in  view.  Look  where 
they  would,  nothing  could  be  seen  but  the  trackless 
waste  of  waters.  Had  the  Industrie  sailed  without 
them  ?  In  vain  they  coasted  along  the  whole  length 
of  the  Brest  roads.  Hour  crept  heavily  after  hour, 
whilst  they  waited  with  every  nerve  on  edge,  waited 
in  an  ever-growing  agony  of  apprehension.  They  had 
long  fallen  silent.  Then  a  hopeless  dawn  began 
to  break.  Not  a  sound  was  heard  save  the  eternal 
voice  of  the  sea,  and  that  they  learned  to  hate.  Again 
and  again  they  wearily  scanned  the  hard,  unbroken 
line  of  the  horizon.  Again  and  again  they  feverishly 
consulted  their  watches.  It  was  six  o'clock,  seven, 
half-past  seven,  and  still  no  sail  appeared.  Then 
despair  closed  round  their  hearts.  They  laid  them- 
selves down  side  by  side  in  the  bottom  of  the  boat, 
and  remained  thus  for  a  quarter  of  an  hour,  brooding 
over  their  misfortunes. 

At  last  one  of  the  Pouliguens  looked  up.      His  eyes 
suddenly  quickened.     He  sprang  to  his  feet,  shouting  : 

"  What  ship,  ahoy  ?  " 

"  The  Industrie,  Captain  Grainger  !  " 

"  Yes,  yes  !  " 

251 


LOUVET 

It  was  one  of  those  occasions  on  which  even  a 
stolid  Englishman  might  have  shown  some  emotion 
without     forfeiting    his    self-respect    or    that    of    his 
fellows,  though  doubtless  it  would  have  manifested 
itself  in  a  rather  different  manner.     Pouliguen  opened 
his  arms,  and  warmly  embraced  his  friends  in  turn. 
"  Quick  !   let  us  get  on  board  !  "  he  cried. 
One  by  one  they  rapidly  climbed  the  side  of  the 
vessel.    They   were   welcomed   by   Valady    and    his 
friend,    who    had    joined    the    ship    at    Brest.      The 
owners  showed  the  Deputies  their  cabin.     The  master, 
a  dour  old  Scot,  told  them  that  to  avoid  suspicion, 
he  had  been  compelled  to  weigh  anchor  at  midnight 
with  the  rest  of  the  convoy,  and  that,  much  to  the 
disgust  of  his  crew,  he  had  spun  out  the  time  tacking 
to  and  fro.     He  had  just  given  up  hope  of  finding  his 
passengers,  and  was  preparing  to  sail  after  the  con- 
voy, when  he  observed  their  boat.     A  few  minutes 
later  and  they  would  have  missed  him.      He  added 
that,  although  his  ship  was  a  fast  sailer,  he  could  not 
hope  to  overtake  the  convoy  before  nightfall ;    there 
was  thus  grave  risk  of  being  captured  by  the  English. 
The  Deputies  swore  never  to  be  taken  alive. 

"  Never  mind  about  the  loss  of  the  ship !  "  ex- 
claimed the  owners.  "  All  we  ask  of  you  is  to  save 
our  friends." 

With  that,  the  Pouliguens  bade  them  adieu  and 
lowered  themselves  into  the  fishing-boat  to  return 
straight  to  Brest. 

The  Industrie  stood  out  to  sea.  But  the  troubles 
of  the  fugitives  were  far  enough  from  being  over. 
They  had  scarcely  seen  the  last  of  the  smack  when 

252 


LOUVET 

five  sails  appeared  on  the  horizon,  and  the  nervous 
crew  threatened  to  mutiny  unless  the  captain 
consented  to  keep  close  to  the  shore.  As  there  was 
no  help  for  it  but  to  humour  them,  the  whole  morning 
was  lost,  and  when  the  coast  was  again  clear,  the 
convoy  had  a  start  of  twelve  hours. 

The  next  day  passed  without  incident.  The 
weather  was  fine,  the  sea  calm,  and  the  brig,  at  the 
will  of  a  strong  breeze,  gave  of  the  best  that  was  in 
her.  At  sunrise  on  the  twenty-second  there  was  a 
fresh  alarm.  The  look-out  signalled  eight  vessels 
ahead ;  then  ten,  twenty,  thirty,  all  ships  of  the  line, 
belonging  to  the  great  Brest  fleet.  We  can  imagine 
what  this  meant  to  the  fugitives,  for  they  knew  that 
a  price  was  set  on  their  heads,  and  that  each  captain 
in  the  French  service  had  orders  to  search  every 
vessel  he  met  at  sea,  and,  above  all,  strictly  to 
examine  the  passengers. 

The  Industrie  was  compelled  to  run  the  gauntlet  of 
the  whole  fleet.  It  was  a  tight  corner  !  Grainger 
coolly  paced  his  bridge,  with  a  glib  lie  ready  for  the 
first  speaking-trumpet  that  should  hail  him.  Mean- 
while the  seven  prisoners  lay  flat  on  the  floor  of  the 
cabin,  hugging  their  weapons,  and  determined,  if  it 
came  to  a  fight,  to  sell  their  lives  dearly.  They  were 
allowed  to  pass  unquestioned. 

That  evening  they  overtook  the  convoy.  A  frigate 
drew  near. 

"  From  what  port  do  you  come  ?  " 

"  Brest." 

"  You  are  a  long  way  astern." 

"  We  have  on  every  stitch  of  canvas." 
253 


LOUVET 

'  Your  vessel  is  a  very  bad  sailer  then." 

To  this  there  was  no  reply,  though  it  must  have  been 
hard  for  the  old  salt  to  swallow  his  retort  to  a  sug- 
gestion which  must  have  touched  him  on  the  raw. 

"  Have  you  any  passengers  on  board  ?  "  suddenly 
demanded  an  officer  on  the  frigate. 

"  No  !  "  promptly  returned  Grainger. 

The  frigate  immediately  lowered  a  boat.  The 
Girondists,  thinking  the  end  had  come,  threw  all 
compromising  papers  overboard,  cocked  their  pistols, 
and  waited.  Who  shall  describe  the  concentrated 
misery  of  those  few  minutes  ? 

But  the  boat  was  sent  only  to  fix  a  cable,  so  that 
the  frigate  might  take  them  in  tow  until  they  should 
come  up  with  the  convoy. 

In  the  evening  the  wind  freshened,  blew  to  a  gale. 
At  dawn  on  the  twenty-third,  flying  before  the  wind, 
she  came  in  sight  of  La  Rochelle.  Disliking  the 
appearance  of  the  weather,  the  crew — a  chicken- 
hearted  lot,  one  imagines — again  became  mutinous, 
demanding  that  the  captain  should  put  into  port. 
But  this  he  steadily  refused  to  do ;  and  his  firm- 
ness, assisted  by  a  generous  distribution  of  paper 
money  by  the  Deputies,  at  length  averted  the  peril. 

Towards  midday  there  was  a  lull  in  the  storm, 
and  the  brig  soon  after  doubled  the  headland  of  La 
Coubre,  and  entered  the  Gironde.  At  the  mouth  of 
the  estuary  the  convoy  was  ordered  to  defile  before 
the  flagship,  the  Industrie  being  one  of  the  first. 
Again  the  ominous  question  rang  out :  "  Have  you 
any  passengers  on  board  ?  " — and  again  the  good 
Grainger  cheerfully  perjured  his  soul. 

254 


LOUVET 

The  convoy  sailed  slowly  up  the  great  river,  the  low 
hills  of  Medoc  on  the  one  hand  and  the  white  cliffs 
of  Saintonge  on  the  other.  Near  the  fort  of  Cas- 
tillon  the  tide  began  to  ebb,  and  it  was  necessary  to 
cast  anchor.  The  captain  of  the  Industrie  con- 
trived to  place  his  vessel  as  near  to  the  shore  and  as 
far  from  the  others  as  possible. 

Just  before  dawn,  Grainger,  with  four  sailors, 
lowered  the  ship's  boat,  and  taking  the  seven  refugees 
on  board,  began  to  row  for  the  shore.  They  were 
immediately  brought  up  sharply  by  the  watch  on  the 
flagship,  but  were  eventually  allowed  to  pass.  The 
navigation  of  this  part  of  the  river  is  rendered  perilous 
for  small  craft  by  the  swiftness  of  the  current  and  by 
the  presence  of  innumerable  islands  above  the  sur- 
face of  the  water  and  a  multitude  of  sandbanks 
beneath.  The  gunwale  of  the  overloaded  skiff  was 
almost  level  with  the  waves,  and  all  were  kept  busy 
baling  out  the  water,  which  fast  poured  over  the 
side.  At  every  moment  she  threatened  to  sink. 
Thus  they  passed  uncomfortably  by  the  vine-clad 
hills  of  Medoc.  They  reached  Vauban's  frowning 
citadel  of  Blaye,  and  crept  painfully  by  without 
being  disturbed. 

They  could  have  shouted  for  joy  when  they  saw 
the  Bee  d'Ambes,  the  low  point  bordered  with  reeds 
and  swamps,  which  thrusts  itself  between  the  Dor- 
dogne  and  the  Garonne.  It  was  their  own  country, 
their  promised  land.  They  waded  ashore.  Club- 
bing together,  they  were  able  to  present  Grainger 
with  a  sum  of  about  eighty  pounds  for  the  dangers 
he  had  faced  on  their  behalf.  This  he  accepted, 

255 


LOUVET 

and   after   wishing   them  good  luck,  returned   to  his 
ship. 

At  last  they  breathed  freely.  They  were  in  the 
Gironde,  the  province  which  had  elected  them  as  its 
representatives,  whose  cause  they  had  so  faithfully 
served.  They  felt  that  all  their  troubles  were  over. 
Alas  !  they  were  soon  to  learn  the  bitter  truth ! 
Their  enemies  had  been  before  them.  The  Gironde 
was  already  crying  for  their  blood  ! 


256 


CHAPTER  XXII 

Guadet's  imprudence — Too  late  ! — Petion  and  Guadet  spy  out 
the  land — Bordeaux  under  the  Terror — Guadet  goes  to  Saint- 
^Imilion — Denounced — They  barricade  themselves  in  a  house — 
Ominous  preparations — A  narrow  escape — The  sleeping  sentinel 
— A  hot  pursuit — The  outlaws  separate — A  terrible  fortnight — 
Adventures  of  Louvet,  Barbaroux  and  Valady — Louvet  meets 
with  an  accident — Life  in  a  hayloft — The  coming  of  a  heroine 
— Mme.  Bouquey  welcomes  the  outlaws — Their  life  in  the 
caverns  of  Saint-^milion — Execution  of  twenty-one  Girondists 
in  Paris — Death  of  Mme.  Roland — Buzot's  despair — Mme. 
Bouquey  in  tears — She  is  forced  to  part  with  the  outlaws — 
Her  sacrifice  and  death. 

AT  the  Bee  d'Ambes  Guadet  hoped  to  find  an 
asylum  at  the  country  seat  of  his  father-in- 
law,  Citoyen  Dupeyrat,  a  banker ;  but  on  their 
arrival  the  Girondists  found  the  house  shut  up  and 
nobody  there  to  receive  them.  Whilst  the  keys  were 
being  fetched,  they  entered  a  neighbouring  inn, 
where  Guadet,  with  his  habitual  frankness,  had  the 
signal  imprudence  of  making  himself  known  to  a 
cooper  named  Blanc,  and  of  asking  him  as  an  old 
acquaintance  to  open  Dupeyrat's  house  and  light  a 
fire  for  him  and  his  friends.  After  that  it  was  easy 
for  the  people  to  identify  his  companions. 

On  entering  the  house  the  Deputies  closed  the 
shutters,  bolted  the  doors,  and  carefully  laid  their 
plans.  At  the  inn  they  had  gathered  that  first 
Baudot  and  Treilhard,  and  then  Tallien  and  Ysabeau, 
had  been  sent  as  representatives  on  mission  to  stamp 

257  17 


LOUVET 

out  the  insurrection  in  Bordeaux.  The  two  latter 
had  arrived  during  the  last  few  days,  and  had  at 
once  set  to  work  with  a  ferocity  which  had  already 
struck  terror  to  the  hearts  of  the  people.  At  first 
they  had  resisted,  but  on  hearing  of  the  flight  of  the 
Girondist  leaders,  they  had  submitted ;  and  now  at 
Bordeaux,  as  in  so  many  other  towns,  terror  was  the 
order  of  the  day. 

Scarcely  able  to  believe  their  ears,  the  fugitives 
sent  Guadet  and  Petion  to  Bordeaux  for  definite  news. 
They  returned  on  the  morrow,  lucky  to  have  entered 
and  escaped  from  the  town  without  molestation. 
They  brought  full  confirmation  of  the  worst.  Panic 
had  entered  into  the  souls  of  the  people,  and  the 
two  Girondists  were  not  only  unable  to  get  tem- 
porary shelter,  but  experienced  the  greatest  difficulty 
in  finding  a  man  sufficiently  courageous  to  act  as 
their  guide. 

At  all  costs,  it  was  necessary  to  find  a  safe  retreat, 
where  they  could  wait  for  better  times,  or,  at  the 
worst,  until  an  opportunity  occurred  of  escaping  to 
America.  Guadet  volunteered  to  go  to  Saint-Emilion, 
his  birthplace,  and  the  home  of  all  his  relatives,  con- 
fidently pledging  himself  to  find  a  refuge  for  all 
among  his  family  and  neighbours.  He  set  out  forth- 
with, promising  to  send  for  them  at  Dupeyrat's 
house  with  the  least  possible  delay.  He  fully 
expected  to  be  back  by  the  evening  of  the  next  day. 

But  the  arrival  of  Guadet  and  his  companions  had 
become  the  talk  of  the  place ;  and  the  innkeeper, 
a  furious  Jacobin,  wanted  to  know  what  had  become 
of  them.  An  anonymous  friend  tried  to  assure  him 

258 


LOUVET 

that  the  strangers  who  had  aroused  his  suspicion  had 
already  left  by  boat.  But  mine  host  was  not  to  be 
put  off ;  and  having  satisfied  himself  that  they  were 
still  hiding  in  Dupeyrat's  house,  went  to  Bordeaux 
to  denounce  them. 

Thus  the  six  fugitives  passed  the  day  of  Sep- 
tember 26th  in  an  agony  of  suspense.  At  nightfall 
they  heard  that  the  innkeeper  had  returned,  accom- 
panied by  several  strangers.  Still  Guadet  did  not 
come.  Every  moment  added  to  their  peril ;  yet  it 
was  impossible  to  leave  the  house  without  grave  risk 
of  missing  him.  They  barricaded  the  doors  and 
windows,  and  distributed  their  weapons,  which  con- 
sisted of  fourteen  pistols,  five  sword-sticks,  and  one 
musket.  Then,  whilst  Louvet  and  Barbaroux  kept 
watch,  the  four  others  lay  down  in  their  clothes  to 
sleep. 

The  night  passed  without  incident,  and  on  the 
evening  of  the  27th  Guadet  sent  to  inform  them 
that  he  could  find  places  for  only  two  of  his  friends  ; 
he  was  searching  everywhere,  he  said,  and  hoped  to 
be  able  to  send  for  the  others  later. 

The  situation  was  becoming  desperate.  Barbaroux, 
who  always  rose  to  an  occasion  such  as  the  present, 
refused  to  leave  his  companions.  "If  we  have  to 
die,"  said  he,  "  let  us  at  least  die  together." 

He  proposed  that  they  should  start  at  once  for 
Saint-Iimilion.  While  he  was  yet  speaking  a  breath- 
less messenger  burst  into  the  room,  warning  them  of 
the  hostile  preparations  of  an  assembly  of  people  at 
the  inn,  and  of  the  sudden  appearance  in  the  village 
of  a  large  number  of  soldiers  and  officers.  There 

259  17* 


LOUVET 

was  not  a  moment  to  be  lost.  Fortunately  it  was 
already  dark  ;  otherwise  they  must  have  been  taken. 
They  stole  noiselessly  out  of  the  house,  and  slowly 
and  painfully  made  their  way  towards  the  Garonne. 
Ten  minutes  after  their  escape  the  house  was  sur- 
rounded by  four  hundred  volunteers,  and  covered  by 
two  pieces  of  artillery.  "  Such  was  the  activity  of 
the  sans-culottes"  said  Citoyen  Baudot,  Deputy  on 
mission  at  Bordeaux,  in  the  account  of  the  transaction 
which  he  forwarded  to  the  Convention,  "  that  they 
found  the  beds  of  the  traitors  still  warm !  "  * 

Meanwhile,  a  lighter,  under  the  personal  command 
of  the  owner,  Greze  of  the  Bee  d'Ambes,  slowly 
bore  the  fugitives  up  the  Garonne.  |  At  first,  all 
went  well ;  but  some  miles  below  Libourne  the  ebb 
set  in,  and  the  vessel  came  to  a  standstill.  To  wait 
for  the  return  of  the  tide  was  to  court  disaster.  They 
decided  to  leave  the  boat  and  make  for  Saint-Emilion 
on  foot. 

Next  night  they  reached  Libourne,  where  it  was 
necessary  to  cross  the  Dordogne.  All  was  quiet  in 
the  town,  and  at  the  landing-stage  a  sentinel  slept  at 
his  post.  But  it  was  three-quarters  of  an  hour  before 
they  succeeded  in  arousing  the  ferryman.  There 
was  nothing  to  be  done  but  to  wait.  Yet  the  sentry 
might  wake  at  any  moment,  and  then  all  would  be 
over.  It  was  impossible  to  keep  still,  so  they  walked 
nervously  to  and  fro.  The  least  noise,  the  breaking 
of  a  twig,  the  plash  of  a  fish  in  the  river,  set  their 

*  H^rissay,  Un  Girondin  :  Francois  Nicolas  Buzot. 

t  Ibid. 

260 


LOUVET 

hearts  beating  wildly.  At  last  the  ferryman  ap- 
peared, and  they  soon  got  under  weigh.  The  sentinel 
still  slept.  On  reaching  the  opposite  shore  they 
learned  that  Baudot  and  fifty  horse  were  in  hot 
pursuit. 

They  hid  themselves  in  a  quarry,  which,  on  account 
of  its  being  Sunday,  was  deserted.  Thence  they  sent 
word  of  their  plight  to  Guadet,  who  soon  joined  them. 
He  was  accompanied  by  Salle,  who  had  been  in  the 
neighbourhood  several  days,  but  was  still  without 
shelter. 

In  the  evening  a  friend,  after  spending  the  whole 
day  in  seeking  a  refuge  for  them,  returned  in  despair — 
no  one  would  receive  them.  At  these  tidings,  Guadet, 
who  had  answered  with  such  confidence  for  the  good- 
will of  his  compatriots,  was  simply  dumbfounded. 
For  his  sake  the  others  tried  to  make  light  of  the 
matter. 

Yet  what  was  to  be  done  ?  Since  they  had  been 
identified,  and  accurate  descriptions  of  their  persons 
had  been  circulated  throughout  the  whole  country- 
side, it  was  obviously  no  longer  safe  to  travel  in 
company.  They  were  forced  to  separate.  Lou  vet 
turned  his  steps  towards  Lodoi'ska  in  Paris  ;  Barbaroux 
resolved  to  share  his  fate,  and  Valady  and  his  friend 
decided  on  the  same  course.  Buzot  and  Petion 
wandered  at  hazard,  whilst  Salle  and  Guadet  made 
for  the  Landes. 

For  two  weeks  the  unhappy  men  wandered  hither 
and  thither,  hiding  by  day,  and  walking  out  only  at 
night.  The  municipal  records  of  Saint-Iimilion  show 
that  they  were  twice  observed  at  this  period.  Their 

261 


LOUVET 

presence  spread  panic  among  the  rustics,  who  took 
them  for  brigands. 

Guadet  had  at  first  hoped  to  find  shelter  for  his 
friends  under  his  father's  hospitable  roof ;  but  he 
was  again  disappointed,  for  on  proceeding  thither 
he  narrowly  escaped  capture  by  a  party  of  Jacobins, 
who  watched  the  house  night  and  day. 

For  some  time  Louvet  and  his  companions  met 
with  no  better  fortune.  After  walking  for  four 
hours  they  lost  their  way.  Near  by  stood  a  house, 
which  they  correctly  took  to  be  a  presbytery.  Knock- 
ing at  the  door,  which  was  opened  by  the  priest  him- 
self, Louvet  said  he  and  his  comrades  were  travellers 
who  had  lost  their  way.  For  a  few  seconds  the 
priest  looked  steadily  at  the  wayfarers  without 
speaking,  and  then  replied  : 

"  Confess  that  you  are  good  men  flying  from  your 
persecutors,  and  as  such  I  heartily  welcome  you  to 
rest  for  twenty-four  hours  in  my  house.  Would  I 
could  oftener  and  longer  protect  the  victims  of 
injustice !  " 

Deeply  moved  by  this  reception,  the  fugitives  con- 
fessed all.  At  the  names  of  Barbaroux  and  Louvet, 
we  are  told,  the  good  cure  rushed  into  their  arms 

and Need  I  say  more  ?  Nature  has  endowed 

the  Frenchman  with  sensitive  lachrymal  glands ; 
but  this  is  a  physical,  not  a  moral  defect — a  subject 
for  commiseration  rather  than  pleasantry. 

Next  morning  their  host  said  they  might  safely 
stay  with  him  two  or  three  days  longer,  and,  in  the 
meantime,  he  would  do  his  best  to  find  a  safe  retreat 
for  them.  On  the  same  day  Valady's  friend  started 

262 


LOUVET 

for  Perigueux,  where  he  had  relatives.  As  this  town 
is  nearly  forty  miles  on  the  road  to  Paris,  Louvet 
wished  to  accompany  him,  and  it  was  only  on  the 
earnest  entreaty  of  Barbaroux  that  he  abandoned  the 
project.  Valady's  friend  was  arrested  in  the  environs 
of  Pe'rigueux  and  summarily  executed. 

The  priest  sheltered  the  survivors  yet  another  two 
days,  and  then  led  them  to  a  small  farm-house,  where 
they  were  kindly  received ;  but  the  farmer's  wife 
becoming  alarmed,  they  were  obliged  to  remove  next 
day. 

The  cure  next  concealed  them  in  a  hayloft,  over 
the  stable  of  another  farm,  where  there  was  a  family 
of  sixteen.  Only  two  of  these  persons  were  in  the 
secret ;  the  rest  went  backwards  and  forwards  to  the 
stable  at  all  hours,  and  sometimes  mounted  the 
ladder  to  look  at  the  hay  in  which  the  Girondists 
were  concealed.  The  hay  was  new,  and  consequently 
hot.  Moreover,  it  was  packed  to  within  two  feet  of 
the  roof,  and  the  loft,  except  for  a  tiny  window,  was 
without  ventilation.  Although  the  month  was 
October,  the  weather  was  unusually  hot  and  dry. 
To  add  to  the  misery  of  the  refugees,  their  two 
confidants  were  sent  away  on  business  so  suddenly, 
that  they  were  unable  to  give  warning  of  their 
absence.  The  men  were  away  for  three  days.  For 
forty-eight  hours  the  outlaws  were  without  food  or 
drink.  The  stuffy  atmosphere  gave  them  violent 
headaches ;  they  fainted  with  sickness,  and  were 
tortured  with  thirst.  One  day  Louvet  felt  that  he 
could  support  his  misery  no  longer.  Seizing  a  pistol, 
he  smiled  at  Barbaroux,  who  followed  his  example. 

263 


LOUVET 

The  two  men  silently  clasped  hands.    At  that  moment 
Valady,  who  had  been  watching  them,  cried  : 

"  Barbaroux,  think  of  thy  mother !  Louvet,  re- 
member that  Lodoi'ska  awaits  thee !  " 

That  was  enough.  The  weapons  fell  from  their 
hands. 

Louvet  was  eager  to  set  out  for  Paris  at  once. 
He  attempted  to  rise,  but  fell  to  the  ground.  He 
had  forgotten  that  in  their  last  nocturnal  ramble  he 
had  fallen  into  a  ditch  and  injured  the  cartilage  of  his 
]eg.  The  sufferings  of  the  last  few  days  had  aggra- 
vated the  ill,  and  now  it  was  only  with  the  greatest 
pain  and  difficulty  that  he  could  move  the  limb. 
Happily  for  him,  he  was  compelled  to  stay  where  he 
was. 

The  next  night  at  ten  o'clock,  when  all  was  quiet 
in  the  farm  except  for  the  house-dog,  whose  barking 
had  hindered  them  from  sleeping,  they  heard  foot- 
steps and  hurried  whispering  in  the  stable  below.  A 
moment  later  someone  cautiously  mounted  the 
ladder.  The  fugitives  seized  their  weapons. 

A  man's  head  appeared  at  the  trap-door.  It 
proved  to  be  one  of  their  confidants.  But  his  manner 
had  undergone  a  complete  change. 

"  Gentlemen,  come  down,"  he  said  in  a  surly  tone. 

"  Why  ?  "  asked  Louvet. 

"  Because  you  must." 

"  But  why  ?  " 

"  You  are  wanted." 

"  Who  wants  us  ?  " 

"  The  priest's  kinsman." 

"  If  so,  why  does  he  not  show  himself  ?  " 
264 


LOUVET 

Here  the  fellow  muttered  something  which  sounded 
anything  but  complimentary.  Then  with  an  un- 
printable expletive,  much  favoured  by  PeTe 
Duchesne,  he  added : 

"  Anyhow,  you  blackguards  have  got  to  come 
down." 

The  fugitives  thought  their  last  hour  had  come, 
and  silently  prepared  for  death. 

"  Citizen,"  said  Lou  vet  firmly,  "  though  we  do 
not  wish  to  get  you  into  trouble  with  the  authorities, 
do  not  think  to  lead  us  into  a  trap  ;  we  shall  certainly 
not  come  down  until  we  see  the  priest's  kinsman,  or 
until  you  tell  us  frankly  what  you  intend  to  do." 

The  priest's  relative  now  appeared,  and  explained 
that  one  of  the  farm  hands  had  overheard  voices  in 
the  hay-loft  and  had  spoken  of  his  suspicions.  This 
had  so  frightened  the  farmer,  that  he  had  at  once 
gone  to  the  cure  to  demand  their  instant  departure 
from  his  premises.  The  cur 6  was  unable  to  receive 
them  into  his  house,  as  information  had  already 
been  lodged  against  him,  and  he  was  under  sus- 
picion of  sheltering  the  refugees.  As  the  farmer 
insisted  on  their  leaving  the  hay-loft  forthwith, 
there  was  no  help  for  it  but  to  pass  the  night  where 
they  could. 

It  was  raining  in  torrents  and  they  were  without 
shelter.  Louvet  dragged  himself  along  with  the  aid 
of  a  stick.  The  guide  conducted  the  unhappy  men 
to  a  small  wood,  and  there  left  them,  scarcely  con- 
cealing his  joy  at  being  rid  of  such  compromising 
companions. 

A  little  before  dawn  the  cure  returned  to  tell  them 
265 


LOUVET 

that  his  search  had  been  fruitless,  and  as  it  was  im- 
possible to  remain  undiscovered  where  they  were,  he 
generously  urged  them  to  come  back  to  his  house, 
where  he  would  protect  them,  cost  what  it  might. 

And  now  appeared  on  the  scene  one  of  those  calm, 
heroic  women,  whose  deeds  so  often  brighten  the 
pages  of  French  history.  Guadet's  father-in-law, 
Dupeyrat,  an  old  man  of  seventy-seven,  had  written 
to  his  daughter,  The"rese  Bouquey,  then  living  with 
her  husband  at  Fontainebleau,  describing  the  terrible 
situation  of  the  outlawed  Deputies.  He  told  how  they 
were  being  tracked  like  wolves  from  lair  to  lair ; 
how  they  were  without  guides,  often  without  food, 
without  hope  in  the  world ;  and  how  with  bleeding 
feet  they  dragged  themselves  from  friend  to  friend, 
begging  for  shelter,  only  to  find  all  doors  shut  in 
their  faces.* 

On  hearing  these  things,  Mme.  Bouquey's  heart 
was  wrung  with  pity,  and  her  anger  rose  hot  against 
her  cowardly  compatriots.  After  that,  there  was  no 
rest  for  her  in  Paris.  Leaving  her  husband,  she 
journeyed  post-haste  to  Saint- £milion,  where  she  had 
a  country  house,  and  soon  found  means  of  informing 
Guadet  and  Salle  of  her  arrival.  They  came,  but 
brought  sad  news  of  Louvet,  Barbaroux  and  Valady, 
who  had  been  compelled  to  leave  the  cure,  and  had 
since  been  unable  to  find  a  retreat. f  "  Let  them  all 
three  come,"  said  Mme.  Bouquey  ;  "  but  it  would  be 

*  Vatel,  Charlotte  de  Corday  et  les  Girondins. 

t  H&issay,  Buxot. 

Lenotre,  Vieilles  maisons,  vieux  papiers,  iiu 
266 


From  an  engraving  by  Baudran,  after  the  painting  by  Yvon. 


MADAME  BOUQUEY 


[To  face  page  266. 


LOUVET 

well  to  warn  them  against  coming  by  day."  The 
three  prescripts  arrived  on  the  following  night, 
staggering  with  fatigue,  their  shoeless  feet  covered 
with  blood  and  their  clothes  in  tatters. 

A  few  days  later  Buzot  and  Petion  sent  word 
that  they  had  been  forced  to  change  their  hiding- 
place  seven  times  within  a  fortnight,  and  were  now 
"  reduced  to  the  last  extremity."  "  Let  them  come 
too,"  said  the  heroic  woman. 

Madame  Bouquey  was  at  this  time  thirty-one  years 
of  age.  She  was  of  an  eager,  buoyant  and  sym- 
pathetic nature.  She  was  not  a  pretty  woman.  In 
her,  as  in  so  many  Frenchwomen,  vivacity  and 
charm  of  expression  caused  an  undeniable  plainness 
of  countenance  to  pass  unnoticed.  "  She  had," 
said  Buzot,  "  one  of  those  faces  that  you  see  with- 
out surprise,  but  that  you  leave  with  regret." 

Her  portrait,  painted  about  three  years  after  her 
marriage,  shows  a  homely  young  housewife,  sitting 
up  stiffly  in  all  the  modest  finery  of  her  out-of-date 
wedding-dress.  Her  only  ornament  is  a  plain  gold 
cross,  suspended  on  her  breast  by  a  black  ribbon 
passing  round  her  neck.  Her  abundant  hair  is  dressed 
in  the  elaborate  style  of  the  preceding  decade,  sur- 
mounted by  a  round  felt  hat,  which  does  not  suit 
her  in  the  least.  The  features  are  regular,  but  un- 
distinguished. The  whole  of  her  personality  is,  as  it 
were,  centred  in  her  eyes :  soft,  black  eyes  they  are, 
full  of  intelligence,  sweetness  and  goodness.  It  is  easy 
to  see  that  in  sitting  for  her  first  portrait  she  has  a 
lively  sense  of  the  dignity  proper  to  such  a  situation, 
and  she  is  obviously  doing  her  best  to  suppress  the 

267 


LOUVET 

smile,  which  on  less  ceremonial  occasions  naturally 
played  on  her  rather  wide,  good-humoured  mouth. 
Yet,  on  the  whole,  it  is  a  strong  face,  not  without 
predication  of  a  hot  temper. 

She  had  married  Robert  Bouquey,  procureur  du 
roi,  at  Saint-^milion  in  1781.  He  was  a  common- 
place fellow  enough ;  yet  The'rdse,  asking  little  of  life, 
was  perfectly  happy.  She  was  known  familiarly 
as  "  Marinette."  * 

Soon  after  Guadet  had  taken  her  sister  to  wife  he 
used  his  influence  with  Roland,  then  Minister  of  the 
Interior,  to  procure  for  his  brother-in-law  the  post 
of  registrar  of  the  national  domains,  with  apartments 
at  Fontainebleau,  where  Ther£se  was  still  living  when 
she  hastened  to  the  rescue  of  the  proscribed  Girondists. 

It  was  at  midnight,  on  October  I2th,  1793,  that 
Mme.  Bouquey  assembled  the  seven  outlaws  at  her 
house.  She  received  them  with  tears  of  joy,  which 
soon  gave  place  to  characteristic  gaiety,  when  she 
saw  how  they  shook  off  their  despondency,  as  they 
sat  down  to  the  excellent  supper  she  had  prepared 
for  them.  Before  the  meal  was  over  hope  had  again 
sprung  up  in  their  hearts. 

Saint-Emilion  is  a  quiet  country  town  set  on  a 
hill.  At  the  time  of  the  Revolution,  however,  it  was 
quite  an  important  centre  ;  and  except  for  one  cir- 
cumstance, they  could  scarcely  have  chosen  a  more 
dangerous  hiding-place.  But  the  hill  on  which  the 
town  stands  is  pierced  in  every  direction  by  vast 
galleries  and  abandoned  quarries,  of  fabulous  anti- 
quity, which  had  supplied  the  stone  used  in  the 

*  Vatel.     Lenotre. 
268 


LOUVET 

building  of  Bordeaux  and  of  Saint-ltmilion  itself. 
By  a  happy  chance,  the  dwelling  of  the  Bouqueys 
communicated  with  these  subterranean  caverns,  and 
to  this  fact  the  Girondists  owed  their  lives.  The 
house,  which  is  still  standing,  lies  hidden  away  between 
the  Rue  des  Grands-Banes  and  the  Rue  de  la  Re"pub- 
lique  (then  known  as  the  Rue  du  Chapitre),  under 
the  shadow  of  the  great  collegiate  church,  and  now 
forms  part  of  the  establishment  of  the  Frdres  de  la 
Doctrine  Chretienne.  Apart  from  this  nothing  is 
changed.  The  white  marble  chimney-piece  in  the 
comfortable  parlour  still  bears  the  interlaced  initials 
of  Robert  Bouquey. 

There  are  two  ways  of  descending  into  the  caverns. 
The  first  and  easier  method  is  by  ladder  down  a  dis- 
used water-chute  ;  but  the  outlaws  were  seldom  able 
to  avail  themselves  of  this  means,  as  the  descent  is 
exposed  to  observation  from  the  windows  of  the 
adjoining  houses.  The  second  method  was  that 
which  the  fugitives  generally  employed,  and  a  very 
perilous  method  it  was. 

In  the  garden,  opposite  the  kitchen  window,  is  a 
square  well,  a  hundred  feet  deep,  and  in  the 
masonry  of  two  of  the  opposite  sides  a  series  of 
superimposed  holes  have  been  cut,  about  two  feet 
apart.  These  rude  steps  are  always  wet  and 
slippery ;  but  by  carefully  moving  the  feet  from 
niche  to  niche,  and  supporting  themselves  by  the  hands 
against  the  sides  of  the  well,  the  outlaws  were  able  to 
descend  to  a  depth  of  twenty  feet  below  the  surface, 
where  there  is  a  large  recess  opening  into  a  spacious 
cavern,  which  is,  in  turn,  undermined  by  a  deeper 

269 


LOUVET 

cave,  reached  by  slipping  through  a  hole.  The 
visitor's  blood  runs  cold  at  the  very  idea  of  this 
gymnastic  feat,  which  the  unhappy  men  were  reduced 
to  performing  every  day.* 

The  Girondists  breathed  the  foetid  air  of  this  dank 
and  icy  grotto  for  a  whole  month.  Mme.  Bouquey 
did  all  she  could  for  them.  She  sent  down  mattresses, 
linen,  blankets,  a  table,  chairs,  knives,  forks,  spoons, 
a  lantern,  and,  with  true  motherly  forethought,  a 
warming-pan  for  their  beds.  For  those  who  were 
unable  to  support  the  chilly  atmosphere  of  the  grotto 
(and  Louvet  was  one  of  these)  she  contrived  a  warmer 
and  more  salubrious,  though  less  safe  retreat,  in  the 
house  itself ;  whence  at  the  first  alarm  the  outlaws 
sprang  across  the  garden,  scrambled  over  the  parapet 
of  the  well  and  lowered  themselves  into  their 
cavern. 

How  to  feed  these  seven  hungry  young  men  was  a 
problem  which  every  day  puzzled  her  ingenious  brain. 
There  was  famine  in  the  land.  Each  person  in  the 
district  had  his  allotted  rations,  and  to  attempt  to  ob- 
tain more  from  the  local  tradesmen  was  often  a  matter 
for  the  executioner.  Again  and  again  she  risked  her 
life  in  the  attempt.  Ostensibly  living  alone,  she  was 
entitled  to  no  more  than  one  pound  of  bread  a  day. 
In  order  to  save  breakfasting  the  outlaws  rose  at 
midday,  when  Mme.  Bouquey  sent  down  to  them 
by  means  of  a  hooked  cord  a  tureen  of  strong  vegetable 
soup  ;  that  had  to  suffice  them  until  evening.  At 

*  Guadet  (J.)  Les  Girondins,  vol.  ii. 

Vatel  (C.)  Charlotte  de  Cor  day  et  les  Girondins,  vol.  iii. 
Lenotre  (G.)  Vieilles  maisons,  vieux  papier s,  s£r.  iii. 
270 


LOUVET 

nightfall  they  quietly  crept  up  into  the  house  and 
gathered  round  her  table  for  supper.  This  was  the 
principal  meal  of  the  day,  and  consisted  of  a  small 
piece  of  meat,  obtained  with  the  greatest  difficulty  ; 
or  a  chicken,  so  long  as  her  poultry  lasted  ;  vegetables 
from  the  garden ;  eggs,  until  they  had  eaten  all  the 
chickens  that  laid  them,  and  a  little  milk.  They 
noticed  that  their  hostess  partook  but  very  sparingly 
of  this  food,  protesting  that  she  was  not  hungry. 
"  She  sat  in  our  midst,"  says  Louvet,  "  like  a  mother 
surrounded  by  her  children,  for  whom  she  delighted 
to  sacrifice  herself.'  At  these  gatherings  she  chatted 
merrily,  and  always  bore  herself  as  one  without  a 
care  in  the  world.  When  they  were  depressed  (as 
very  often  happened),  she  cheered  them  with  brave 
words.  Her  soft,  low  voice  soothed  these  desperate 
and  hunted  men  like  the  sweetest  music.  Although 
the  sans-culottes  prowled  about  the  town  at  all  hours, 
swearing  that  they  would  burn  alive  in  their  houses 
all  who  were  found  concealing  the  Deputies,  she  was 
ever  calm  and  unruffled.  Although  she  knew  that 
the  most  trivial  accident  might  at  any  moment 
betray  her  to  a  horrible  death,  she  always  greeted  her 
guests  with  smiling  lips  and  outstretched,  welcoming 
hands. 

"  Mon  Dieu  I "  she  gaily  exclaimed  on  one  occa- 
sion. "  Let  them  come  and  search  the  house,  pro- 
vided that  you  do  not  take  upon  yourselves  to  receive 
them.  The  only  thing  I  dread  is  lest  they  should 
arrest  me,  for  what  would  become  of  you !  " 

It  was  in  this  retreat  that  Louvet  began  his 
memoirs,  and  Buzot,  Petion  and  Barbaroux  completed 

271 


LOUVET 

theirs.  Early  in  November  their  protectress  gently 
broke  to  them  the  news  of  the  condemnation  and  execu- 
tion of  their  colleagues  in  Paris.  She  told  them  how 
those  twenty-one  young  men  had  gone  to  their  death 
singing  the  Marseillaise.  The  unhappy  survivors 
were  overwhelmed  with  grief,  and  solemnly  swore, 
if  they  lived,  to  avenge  them.  They  had  scarcely 
recovered  from  this  shock  when  they  heard  of  the 
no  less  heroic  death  of  Mme.  Roland.  How  they 
longed  to  strike  down  her  cowardly  assassins !  Yet 
they  were  helpless.  But  for  one  of  their  number  this 
last  stroke  was  the  end  of  all.  Buzot 's  enemies  had 
murdered  the  woman  he  adored.  His  frame  shaken 
by  dry  sobs,  he  prayed  for  the  end  to  come  quickly, 
for  his  anguish  was  greater  than  he  could  bear.  Yet 
he  was  compelled  to  hide  his  grief  from  his  friends. 
Louvet  alone  shared  his  confidence,  and  had  sworn 
never  to  reveal  his  secret.  The  trust  was  faithfully 
kept,  and  it  was  not  until  the  finding  of  Mme. 
Roland's  letters  to  Buzot,  in  1863,  that  the  object 
of  the  "  Grande  Citoyenne's "  chaste  passion  was 
discovered. 

Buzot  at  this  time  wrote  that  infinitely  pathetic 
letter  to  his  friend,  Jerome  Le  Tellier,  covering 
Mme.  Roland's  portrait,  and  the  manuscript  of  her 
memoirs,  in  which  he  tells  of  his  misery : 

"  She  is  no  more — she  is  no  more,  my  friend ! 
The  scoundrels  have  assassinated  her !  Judge 
whether  there  remains  anything  on  earth  for  me  to 
regret !  When  you  hear  of  my  death,  burn  her 
letters.  I  scarcely  know  why  I  desire  that  you 
should  keep  the  portrait  for  yourself.  You  were 

272 


LOUVET 

equally  dear  to  both  of  us.  What  poisons  my  last 
moments  is  the  frightful  picture  of  my  wife's  misery. 
In  the  name  of  our  friendship,  I  pray  you  to  help  her 
and  to  give  her  the  benefit  of  your  Counsel." 

When  he  had  written  this,  he  handed  the  packet 
over  to  Mme.  Bouquey,  knowing  that  he  could  trust 
her  to  forward  it  to  Le  Tellier  at  itvreux,  as  soon  as 
it  was  safe  for  his  friend  to  receive  it.  Through  no 
fault  of  Mme.  Bouquey,  as  we  may  be  sure,  the 
packet  never  reached  its  destination.  About  the 
time  of  Buzot's  death  Le  Tellier  shot  himself  in  prison 
in  order  to  escape  the  guillotine,  and  the  papers 
were  afterwards  found  in  her  house  and  forwarded 
by  the  pro-consul  Julien  to  the  Committee  of  Public 
Safety. 

The  evening  of  November  i3th  brought  a  fresh 
calamity  upon  the  outlaws.  On  their  assembling  for 
supper  they  found  Mme.  Bouquey  in  tears.  Never 
before  had  she  broken  down  in  their  presence.  They 
tried  to  console  her,  but  she  would  not  be  comforted. 
At  last  they  learned  the  truth.  Her  husband  and 
other  relatives  had  insisted  on  her  expelling  the  out- 
laws from  the  house.  She  could  not  for  very  shame 
tell  them  all  the  lies,  threats  and  cowardly  manoeuvres 
which  had  been  used  to  coerce  her.  She  went  from 
one  to  another  of  her  guests,  weeping  bitterly.  The 
heroic  woman's  grief  was  terrible  to  see. 

"  Cruel  men !  "  she  cried.  "  What  wrong  they 
do  me !  I  shall  never,  never  forgive  them  if  one  of 
you "  She  could  not  finish  the  sentence. 

The  fugitives  bade  her  farewell.  Louvet  and 
273  18 


LOUVET 

Valady  never  saw  her  more.  The  others  she  sheltered 
yet  again,  and  this  time  it  cost  her  her  life.  On 
June  lyth,  1794,  she  was  denounced,  and  on  her 
house  being  searched  traces  of  the  outlaws  were  dis- 
covered. At  the  trial  on  the  same  day  she  was  fear- 
fully angry  with  the  judges  for  condemning  her  and 
her  family,  because,  as  she  put  it,  "  she  had  shown 
pity  to  the  unfortunate."  She  overwhelmed  them 
with  infamy  and  contempt.  "  Monsters !  "  she 
shrieked,  "  if  humanity  is  a  crime,  we  deserve 
death !  " 

When  the  verdict  was  pronounced  she  rushed  like 
a  mad  woman  at  the  President,  "  as  though  she 
would  tear  him  in  pieces,"  and  she  was  dragged 
from  the  court  foaming  with  rage.  Later,  when 
the  executioner's  assistants  came  to  cut  her  hair, 
she  struggled  so  fiercely  that  "  it  was  necessary  to 
employ  violence  to  hold  her."  Guadet's  father 
thereupon  took  her  in  his  arms  and  she  fell  sobbing 
on  his  breast. 

Her  life  closed  with  yet  another  act  of  heroism. 
The  executioner  afterwards  stated  that  at  the  foot 
of  the  scaffold,  "  Bouquey,  seeing  his  wife  advance 
alone  towards  the  fatal  plank,  said  to  one  of  the 
assistants,  '  Ah !  give  Madame  your  hand.'  But  she 
quite  calmly,  earnestly  desired  to  be  executed  the 
last,  wishing  to  spare  her  husband  the  grief  of  seeing 
his  wife's  blood  shed."  * 

*  See  Lenotre  (G.,)  Vieilles  maisons,  vieux  papier s,  s&r.  iii. 


274 


CHAPTER  XXIII 

The  Girondists'  Odyssey  continued — Louvet  bids  farewell  to  Bar- 
baroux,  Buzot  and  Petion — Valady's  fate — Louvet  accompanies 
Guadet  and  Salle — They  hide  in  a  cave — Guadet  tries  the 
quality,  of  a  friend — Louvet  is  taken  ill — The  closed  door — 
Guadet's  despair — Louvet's  resolution — He  sets  out  alone  for 
Paris — Arrest  and  execution  of  Salle  and  Guadet — The  fate 
of  the  Guadet  family — Providential  escape  of  the  Deputy's 
wife — The  last  days  of  Barbaroux,  Buzot  and  Petion — Agony 
and  death  of  Barbaroux — Suicide  of  Buzot  and  Petion. 

AT  one  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  November  I4th, 
the  outlaws  again  took  to  the  road.  After 
solemnly  vowing  that  those  who  survived  the  pro- 
scription would  seek  out  and  succour  the  families 
of  those  who  perished,  the  friends  affectionately 
embraced  and  divided  into  two  parties.  This  time 
Barbaroux  joined  Buzot  and  Petion  ;  whilst  Louvet, 
Guadet  and  Salle  accompanied  Valady  for  a  short 
distance  on  the  road  to  Perigueux,  where  he  hoped  to 
find  refuge  at  the  house  of  a  relative.  They  bade 
him  farewell  at  the  cross-roads,  and  he  went  forward 
alone  to  meet  his  death.  He  had  scarcely  reached 
his  destination  when  he  was  taken,  and  dragged  to 
the  scaffold. 

Louvet  and  his  two  remaining  friends  passed  the 
following  day  in  an  abandoned  quarry.  At  night, 
although  it  was  pouring  with  rain,  they  set  out  on  a 
twelve-miles  walk  to  the  house  of  a  lady,  whose  eternal 
gratitude  Guadet  had  won  some  years  before  by 

275  18* 


LOUVET 

extricating  her  from  a  criminal  prosecution  which 
had  greatly  endangered  her  honour  and  the  credit 
of  her  family.  He  was  convinced  that  she  would 
willingly  shelter  them  for  a  few  days,  as  she  had  again 
and  again  proffered  him  her  services. 

Having  missed  their  way,  it  was  four  o'clock  in  the 
morning  when  they  reached  their  journey's  end, 
covered  from  head  to  foot  with  mud,  wet  to  the  skin, 
and  utterly  spent  with  fatigue. 

Guadet  knocked  at  the  door,  which,  after  a  delay  of 
nearly  half  an  hour,  was  partially  opened  by  a 
servant,  who  failed  to  recognize  the  visitor,  although 
he  had  seen  him  hundreds  of  times.  After  some 
hesitation,  the  man  took  Guadet's  message  to  his 
mistress.  He  returned  after  a  prolonged  delay, 
bringing  word  that  his  mistress  found  it  impossible 
to  grant  the  request,  as  there  was  a  vigilance  com- 
mittee in  the  village.  As  though  she  did  not  know 
that  there  was  a  vigilance  committee  in  every  village  ! 
Guadet  persisted,  and  begged  Madame  to  grant  him 
a  short  interview.  That  also  was  impossible  ;  in  fact, 
all  things  were  impossible,  and  the  door  was  shut  in 
his  face. 

Meanwhile  Louvet  and  Salle  had  retired  to  a  small 
wood  near  by  to  await  the  result  of  the  conference. 
They  were  drenched  to  the  skin,  and  so  cold  that 
Louvet's  teeth  "  chattered  in  his  head." 

When  Guadet  came  to  tell  them  how  he  had  been 
received,  Louvet  scarcely  heard  what  he  said.  He 
was  immediately  after  seized  with  a  fit  of  shivering 
and  fell  senseless  to  the  ground.  His  companions 
at  length  succeeded  in  bringing  him  round,  helped 

276 


LOUVET 

him  to  his  feet,  and  rested  him  against  the  trunk  of 
a  tree  ;  but  he  was  too  weak  to  stand,  so  they  were 
obliged  to  let  him  lie  at  full  length  on  the  rain-sodden 
earth. 

Guadet  now  ran  back  to  the  house  and  again 
knocked  at  the  door ;  but  this  time  there  was  no 
reply.  He  called  through  the  keyhole  : 

"  One  of  my  friends  is  taken  ill ;  I  beg  of  you  to 
give  us  a  room  and  a  fire,  if  only  for  a  couple  of 
hours." 

"  Impossible  !  " 

"  Then  at  least  give  me  a  little  vinegar  and  a  glass 
of  water." 

"  Impossible  !  " 

The  woman  deserved  to  hear  Guadet's  opinion  of 
her  conduct — he  was  an  eloquent  man.  Thus  the 
women,  like  the  men  of  the  period,  were  not  all  cast 
in  the  heroic  mould  ;  and  many  a  man,  like  poor 
Bouquey,  died  on  the  scaffold  because  he  had  married 
a  heroine  unawares. 

Guadet  was  in  despair,  and  his  lamentations  aroused 
Louvet  from  the  stupor  into  which  he  had  fallen. 
Although  he  could  not  yet  speak,  he  rose,  and  listened 
whilst  his  comrades  considered  the  best  means  of  re- 
turning to  their  cave.  The  situation  was  alarming 
enough,  for  day  was  about  to  break.  Guadet's 
friends  had  been  tried  and  found  wanting ;  but 
Louvet  flattered  himself  that  his  friends  were  of  a 
different  calibre,  and  he  determined  to  go  to  them, 
though  he  had  to  traverse  the  whole  of  France  to 
reach  them.  He  walked  with  his  companions  as  far 
as  the  high-road,  about  a  mile  distant,  and  then  said  : 

277 


LOUVET 

"  My  friends,  I  am  sorry  to  leave  you  in  this  predica- 
ment ;  but,  as  I  have  often  told  you,  I  think  there  are 
straits  in  which  a  man  ought  not  to  drag  on  the 
burden  of  existence.  You  also  know  my  determina- 
tion to  set  off  for  Paris,  instead  of  blowing  out  my 
brains,  directly  I  reached  an  extremity  in  which 
I  think  a  brave  man  may  die.  .  .  I  know  I  have  a 
very  poor  chance  of  getting  there,  but  it  is  my  duty 
to  attempt  it.  .  .  My  Lodoiska  shall  find  that  when 
I  fell  my  face  was  turned  towards  her." 

In  vain  his  friends  begged  and  implored  him  to 
give  up  a  project  which  they  assured  him  would 
lead  to  certain  death.  He  shared  what  paper  money 
he  had  with  Salle,  who  was  even  poorer  than  himself, 
warmly  embraced  his  companions,  and  began  his 
perilous  walk  towards  Paris. 

After  untold  sufferings  Salle  and  Guadet  were 
arrested  on  June  I7th,  1794.  On  the  afternoon 
of  the  same  day  they  perished  on  the  scaffold  with 
Mme.  Bouquey,  her  father,  her  husband,  and  her 
little  maid-servant,  and  the  whole  family  of  the 
Guadets,  except  the  Deputy's  young  wife,  who  was 
ill  of  the  smallpox  when  the  soldiers  came  to  arrest 
her.*  "  Then  it  will  be  for  another  time,"  said 
Lacombe,  the  president  of  the  tribunal,  when  the 
matter  was  reported  to  him.  But  he  reckoned  with- 
out the  gth  Thermidor,  when  his  own  head  was  re- 
quired of  him.  Mme.  Guadet  and  her  little  daughter 
Lodoiska,  and  her  nephew,  survived  the  Revolution, 

*  Saint-Brice    Guadet,    the    Deputy's    brother,  was    executed    a 
month  later. 

278 


LOUVET 

and  the  latter  afterwards  wrote  a  valuable  history  of 
his  uncle  and  his  colleagues  of  the  Girondist  party. 

Meanwhile  Buzot,  Barbaroux  and  Petion  had  for 
five  months  been  hiding  in  a  dirty  garret  in  the  house 
of  a  man  named  Troquart,  a  wig-maker,  at  the  corner 
of  the  Grande  Rue — now  Rue  Guadet — and  the  Rue 
Cap-du-Pont,  a  retreat  which  they  owed  to  the  un- 
tiring efforts  of  Mme.  Bouquey,  who,  until  the  day 
of  her  arrest,  had  continued  to  feed  them.  It  was 
from  the  window  of  this  stuffy  and  unwholesome  den 
that  they  saw  the  tumbril  pass  bearing  their  bene- 
factress and  their  last  friends  to  the  guillotine.  The 
sight  filled  them  with  horror.  They  bitterly  re- 
proached themselves  with  her  death.  After  that  they 
found  it  impossible  to  stay  in  the  house.  They  seem 
to  have  lost  their  heads.  That  night,  when  all  was 
quiet  in  the  terror-stricken  town,  they  left  their 
retreat. 

From  this  point  their  story  is  harrowing  to  the 
last  degree.  All  that  is  known  or  is  ever  likely  to 
be  known,  of  their  last  moments,  has  been  piously 
collected  by  M.  Lenotre,  and  admirably  told  in  his 
Vieilles  Maisons,  Vieux  Papiers,  which  has  recently 
been  translated  under  the  title  of  Romances  of  the 
French  Revolution.  Suffice  it  to  say  that  on  June 
i8th  the  three  outlaws  were  seated  in  a  field  eating 
their  last  provisions,  when  they  were  startled  by  the 
sound  of  a  drum  and  the  heavy  tramp  of  a  body  of 
troops.  Springing  to  their  feet,  they  made  a  dash 
for  a  small  pine  wood  at  the  other  side  of  the  field. 
Buzot  and  Petion  succeeded  in  reaching  it,  but 

279 


LOUVET 

Barbaroux,  a  heavily  built  man,  finding  himself 
outpaced  by  his  companions,  and  unwilling  to  hinder 
them,  drew  a  pistol  from  his  belt,  and  putting  it 
against  his  right  ear,  fired.  The  shot  startled  the 
soldiers,  who  would  otherwise  have  passed  without 
suspicion,  and  they  cautiously  made  for  the  field  to 
see  what  had  happened.  There  they  found  the  body 
of  a  big  man,  with  a  frightful  wound  in  the  head, 
"  breathing  heavily  and  tossing  about  as  though  in 
the  death  agony."  They  grouped  themselves  around 
him,  none  attempting  to  dress  his  wound  or  to  help 
him  in  any  way,  for  he  was  at  once  suspected  of 
being  an  emigre,  and  terror  had  long  ago  stamped  all 
pity  out  of  most  men's  hearts.  Barbaroux  lay  there, 
without  shelter  and  bathed  in  blood,  throughout  the 
heat  of  a  summer's  day.  Death  refused  to  release 
him. 

At  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  some  municipal 
officers  arrived  on  the  scene.  They  ordered  him  to  be 
carried  to  a  neighbouring  farm ;  but  the  farmer, 
doubtless  fearing  the  drastic  laws  anent  the  shelter- 
ing of  outlaws,  not  only  refused  to  receive  him,  but 
denied  him  a  glass  of  water  to  quench  his  raging 
thirst,  or  a  little  straw  on  which  to  lay  his  dying  head. 
Such  was  the  gratitude  of  the  Sovereign  People  for 
one  of  their  most  fearless  and  disinterested  defenders. 

At  last  four  men  seized  the  wounded  Deputy  and 
unceremoniously  dragged  him  to  the  Bordeaux  high- 
road, and  seated  him  on  a  chair,  lent  by  a  peasant. 
The  rabble  clamoured  around  him,  speculating  as  to 
who  he  could  be.  Someone  asked  him  if  he  was 
Buzot.  He  faintly  shook  his  head.  Barbaroux  ? 

280 


LOUVET 

He  nodded.  About  this  time  Lavache,  a  former 
Mayor  of  Castillon,  a  fussy,  meddlesome  old  fool, 
came  up  and,  thrusting  the  spectators  aside,  began 
to  question  the  wounded  man.  For  long  he  received 
no  reply ;  but  at  last  Barbaroux  opened  his  eyes, 
and  told  him  he  was  "  meddling  in  what  did  not  con- 
cern him,"  and  that  he  had  "  neither  the  capacity  nor 
the  authority  "  to  question  him.  At  this  somebody 
laughed,  and  the  little  man  trotted  off,  quite 
extinguished. 

It  was  four  o'clock  when  his  tormentors  made  the 
first  move  towards  conducting  their  prisoner  to 
Castillon,  and  they  took  nearly  two  hours  to  accom- 
plish the  journey.  After  six  days  spent  in  the  prison 
of  that  town,  Barbaroux  was  fastened  to  a  mattress 
and  carried  by  boat  down  the  river  to  Bordeaux.  A 
week  later  the  guillotine  put  an  end  to  his  martyrdom. 

On  hearing  Barbaroux'  shot  behind  them,  Buzot 
and  Petion,  as  we  have  seen,  made  a  dash  for  the 
small  pine  wood,  which  they  succeeded  in  reaching. 
How  they  died  is  unknown ;  but  the  probability  is 
that,  reduced  to  the  last  extremity  and  unwilling  to 
continue  the  fearful  existence  of  the  last  months,  they 
took  their  own  lives.  Practically  all  we  know  on  this 
point  is  that  on  June  25th,  a  peasant,  named  Be"chaud, 
happening  to  pass  by  the  spot  where  Barbaroux  had 
been  found,  heard  some  dogs  fiercely  growling  in  an 
adjoining  rye  field.  The  man  left  the  path  probably 
to  see  the  sport.  His  approach  disturbed  three 
gaunt  dogs,  savagely  fighting  over  two  human  bodies, 
already  horribly  torn,  which  lay  half  hidden  among 

281 


LOUVET 

the  rye.  Proud  of  his  discovery,  the  peasant  at  once 
communicated  with  the  municipal  authorities.  The 
dead  men  were  soon  identified  as  Buzot  and  Petion ; 
but  the  bodies  were  in  such  a  shocking  condition 
that  the  sanitary  officer  refused  to  examine  them. 
Graves  were  immediately  dug  and  the  corpses  un- 
ceremoniously pitchforked  into  them.  A  perfunctory 
report  on  the  matter  was  dispatched  to  the  Conven- 
tion, and  the  incident  was  considered  closed.* 

To  this  day,  the  field  in  which  the  unhappy  Deputies 
were  found  is  known  as  the  Champs  des  Emigres. 
True,  they  had  emigrated  ;  but  it  was  to  another  and 
better  world  ;  or,  at  all  events,  it  could  not  very  well 
have  been  a  worse. 

*  Guadet,  Les  Girondins,  vol.  ii. 

Lenotre,  Vieilles  maisons,  vieux  papiers,  s6r.  iii. 
Vatel,  Charlotte  de  Corday  et  les  Girondins,  vol.  iii. 


282 


From  an  engraving  by  Baudran,  after  the  portrait  carried  by  Madame  Roland. 


BUZOT. 


[To  face  page  282. 


CHAPTER  XXIV 

Louvet  reaches  Montpont — Negotiating  a  sentry — A  critical 
moment — Qui  vive  ! — Fabricating  a  passport — Crippled  with 
rheumatism — A  sympathetic  landlady — An  embarrassing  compli- 
ment— He  steals  through  Mussidan — Almost  collapses  on  the 
road — He  falls  among  enemies — A  churlish  innkeeper  and  his 
wife — Louvet  plays  the  sans-culotie — He  prepares  for  the  worst 
— Hoodwinking  the  Mayor — The  Procureur-Syndic — Louvet 
calls  for  more  wine — The  passport — A  desperate  game — The 
landlady  loses  her  blood  money — Louvet  breathes  freely  again — 
Another  hostile  innkeeper — Louvet  is  befriended  by  a  carrier 
— A  restless  night  and  a  hopeless  dawn — He  overtakes  the 
carrier — He  accepts  a  seat  in  the  cart — An  explanation — A 
sudden  peril,  and  how  he  met  it — Louvet's  "  passport  " — The 
carrier  uses  his  whip. 

LOUVET  parted  from  his  friends  about  four  miles 
from  Montpont,  the  chief  town  of  the  district, 
and  therefore  a  dangerous  place  for  him.  He  deter- 
mined to  pass  it  during  the  night.  His  limbs  were 
still  so  benumbed  that  he  had  the  greatest  difficulty 
in  walking,  and  his  progress  was  slow.  The  exer- 
cise, however,  did  him  good,  and  he  was  soon  quite 
free  from  pain. 

The  sun  was  rising  when  he  reached  Montpont. 
As  he  approached  the  gate,  he  saw  a  sentry  on 
duty,  leaning  against  the  wall,  motionless ;  it 
seemed  that  the  man  watched  him  intently.  He 
slackened  his  pace  and  advanced  softly,  holding  his 
forged  passport  ready,  intending  to  present  it  airily 
for  inspection  if  demanded.  There  was  nothing, 
he  reflected,  but  a  transparent  forgery  and  the  hypo- 


283    \ 


LOUVET 

thetical  stupidity  of  the  man  at  the  gate  between 
him  and  an  ugly  death.  It  was  an  uncomfortable 
five  minutes.  He  caught  his  breath  as  he  reached 
the  sentinel's  side.  The  man  did  not  speak.  Louvet 
glanced  quickly  at  him.  He  was  asleep !  The 
muzzle  of  his  gun  rested  against  his  breast,  the  butt- 
end  on  the  ground,  opposing  the  way.  Louvet 
stepped  lightly  over  the  weapon,  still  walking  softly. 
At  the  end  of  the  street  he  quickened  his  pace.  This 
woke  the  sentry,  and  he  called  out  twice  :  "  Who 
goes  there  ?  "  But  the  fugitive  did  not  wait  to 
explain  matters.  He  hurried  safely  through  the 
town,  but  about  a  mile  further  on  he  was  arrested  by 
a  sharp  pain  shooting  through  his  heel,  and  extending 
under  the  sole  of  his  foot.  With  the  greatest  diffi- 
culty he  walked  another  mile,  and  then  found  it 
impossible  to  proceed  further.  At  a  roadside  inn  he 
secured  a  room,  a  fire,  and  an  excellent  breakfast, 
of  which  he  stood  in  great  need. 

After  satisfying  his  hunger,  he  set  to  work  on  the 
improvement  of  his  passport,  which  a  friend  of  the 
cure  had  fabricated  for  him.  This  document  was 
covered  with  an  amazing  assortment  of  signatures, 
and  certified  that  Citizen  Larcher,  a  good  sans- 
culotte, of  Rennes,  had  passed  through  various  towns 
and  villages  on  his  way  to  Paris.  But  the  last  town 
mentioned  was  Bordeaux,  so  Louvet  ventured  to 
embellish  the  document  with  the  name  of  the  President 
of  the  Committee  of  Surveillance  at  Libourne,  which 
he  happened  to  remember.  When  he  had  done  with 
it,  the  passport  might  pass  muster  in  the  villages, 
but  was  worse  than  useless  for  the  towns,  as  there 

284 


LOUVET 

were  no  official  seals  of  the  districts  named,  and  at 
that  time  everything  coming  from  Bordeaux  was 
regarded  with  the  greatest  suspicion.  It  was,  there- 
fore, imperative  that  towns  should  be  avoided  alto- 
gether, if  possible ;  or  that  if  they  had  to  be  tra- 
versed, it  should  be  either  at  dawn  or  dusk,  care  being 
taken  to  sleep  only  in  small  villages.  Even  so,  the 
risk  of  arousing  suspicion  was  very  great ;  but  for 
this  there  was  no  help. 

In  the  afternoon  the  traveller  set  out  for  Mussidan, 
six  miles  distant,  intending  to  pass  the  night  at  a 
village  two  miles  beyond  that  town.  He  was  still 
tortured  with  rheumatism,  and  the  pain  soon  became 
so  acute  that  each  step  doubled  him  almost  to  the 
ground.  The  leg  swelled,  burnt  like  fire,  and  felt 
prodigiously  heavy.  To  add  to  the  difficulty,  the 
road,  owing  to  the  heavy  rain,  was  in  some  places 
little  better  than  a  slough,  and  in  others  covered  with 
rough  flints,  over  which  he  walked  as  on  hot  coals. 
His  progress  was  so  painful  that  he  was  covered  in 
perspiration,  and  was  obliged  to  halt  every  few  minutes 
to  rest  on  his  sound  leg,  supporting  his  weight  on  a 
staff.  When  night  overtook  him  he  was  still  a  mile 
short  of  Mussidan. 

Thoroughly  exhausted,  he  limped  into  a  wayside 
inn  to  pass  the  night.  The  host  and  hostess,  a  frank, 
worthy  couple,  shocked  at  the  sight  of  his  condition, 
did  all  they  could  to  make  him  comfortable,  and  to 
ease  the  intolerable  pain  of  his  leg.  He  had  at  once 
succeeded  in  arousing  their  interest  and  compassion. 
In  the  public  room  a  band  of  noisy  revolutionists  were 
making  merry.  The  hostess,  seeming  to  divine  that 

285 


LOUVET 

the  new-comer  desired  to  avoid  such  company,  drew 
him  aside,  offering  to  give  up  her  own  bed  to  him  ; 
adding,  with  a  significant  glance  towards  the  public 
room,  that  he  would  at  least  be  quiet  there.  Louvet 
was  completely  won  over  by  the  kindness  of  these 
good  people,  and  determined  to  stay  with  them  for 
a  couple  of  days,  hoping  that  the  complete  rest  would 
cure  him.  His  hosts  were  evidently  gratified  at  the 
confidence  he  had  placed  in  them,  and  redoubled 
their  kind  attentions.  They  took  the  greatest  care 
not  to  disquiet  him,  and  constantly  shielded  him  from 
the  prying  eyes  of  his  fellow  guests.  Once  the  land- 
lady glanced  at  his  tattered  clothes,  saying  : 

"  Ah,  sir,  it  is  easy  to  see  that  you  have  been  accus- 
tomed to  dress  better  than  this  !  " 

It  was  an  embarrassing  sort  of  compliment,  for  it 
hinted  that  he  had  not  yet  acquired  the  air  of  the 
genuine  sans-culotte — an  appearance  which  he  deter- 
mined to  assume  with  the  least  possible  delay. 

On  the  evening  of  the  second  day  he  sorrowfully 
quitted  this  sympathetic  couple  in  order  to  reach 
Mussidan  at  dusk.  He  entered  the  town  in  safety, 
but  half-way  through  the  main  street  on  the  right 
stood  a  guard-house.  Watching  his  opportunity,  the 
fugitive  slipped  by  behind  some  waggons  on  the  left. 
A  mile  further  on  his  leg  grew  worse  than  ever.  It 
took  him  two  hours  to  cover  a  mile  and  a  half.  He 
nearly  collapsed  in  the  road.  Some  peasants,  of 
whom  he  had  asked  the  way,  conducted  him  to  a  dirty 
village  inn.  The  master,  a  surly-looking  fellow,  came 
to  the  door  and  examined  the  wayfarer  suspiciously. 
"  Where  did  you  pick  him  up  ?  "  he  demanded  of 
286 


LOUVET 

the  peasants  in  a  patois  which  Louvet   fortunately 
understood. 

"  Faith,  on  the  road." 

"  Well,  I'm  thinking  we'll  jolly  soon  send  him  back 
there,"  he  grunted. 

Disguising  his  apprehension,  Louvet  hobbled  across 
the  threshold,  followed  by  the  innkeeper,  who  lighted 
his  pipe,  flung  himself  into  a  chair  between  his  guest 
and  the  fire,  and  smoked  and  spat  alternately,  without 
uttering  a  word.  The  wife,  a  thin,  acrid  little  woman, 
with  that  unpleasant  twist  in  the  look  which  you 
will  sometimes  see  in  the  eyes  of  a  vicious  horse, 
now  entered  the  room  and  began  to  question  Louvet 
in  an  insidious  manner.  At  once  on  his  guard,  he 
assumed  the  part  of  a  furious  Jacobin. 

Whilst  eating  the  omelette  he  had  ordered,  the 
woman  stood  by  his  side,  talking  and  questioning 
incessantly.  How  sorry  she  was  for  those  good 
noblemen,  those  poor  priests,  and  those  worthy 
merchants  who  were  being  dragged  by  the  score  to 
the  guillotine  !  What  did  the  citizen  think  of  Char- 
lotte Corday  and  the  odious  Marat  ? — for  her  part, 
she  thought  hanging  too  good  for  such  wretches  as 
he.  At  this,  Louvet  pretended  to  fall  into  a  violent 
passion,  and  threatened  her  with  the  scaffold  in  the 
approved  manner  of  Pere  Duchesne.  But  the  little 
woman  was  not  to  be  bluffed ;  she  was  not  in  the 
least  disconcerted  by  this  outburst,  and  continued 
to  ask  perfidious  questions,  whilst  the  fugitive  Deputy 
as  sedulously  played  the  furious  sans-culotte. 

It  was  midnight  when  she  allowed  him  to  retire  to 
his  room,  where  he  reflected  on  his  perilous  situation. 

287 


LOUVET 

It  was  clear  to  him  that  he  had  fallen  among  enemies, 
and  that  the  landlady  had  an  eye  on  the  hundred 
livres  offered  by  the  Government  for  information 
leading  to  the  arrest  of  emigres,  and  other  outlawed 
persons.  He  went  to  bed  in  his  clothes,  putting  a 
brace  of  pocket-pistols  and  the  blunderbuss  Lodoi'ska 
had  given  him  under  his  pillow.  These  would  at 
least  enable  him  to  give  a  good  account  of  himself 
in  case  of  surprise  ;  and  if  it  came  to  the  worst,  he 
had,  hidden  next  his  skin,  a  quantity  of  opium,  a 
present  from  his  versatile  friend  of  Quimper — a  last 
and  effective  means  of  eluding  all  his  enemies.  There 
was  some  comfort  in  that  thought,  so  he  turned  over 
and  went  to  sleep. 

The  night  unexpectedly  passed  without  incident, 
and  it  was  nine  o'clock  in  the  morning  when  the 
landlady  woke  him  to  ask  if  he  was  ready  to  go.  He 
replied  that  he  was  so  comfortable  in  her  house  that 
he  proposed  to  dine  with  her.  It  was  certainly  no 
fault  of  hers  that  he  ever  dined  again,  for  whilst 
he  was  finishing  his  meal  she  went  out,  saying  that 
he  could  pay  her  when  she  came  back.  She  returned 
almost  immediately,  bringing  a  huge  country  yokel, 
proud  of  the  magistracy  which,  nevertheless,  embar- 
rassed him. 

"  This  is  the  citizen,  our  Mayor,"  said  the  landlady, 
with  a  malicious  glance  at  the  traveller.  "  He  has 
come  to  look  at  your  passport." 

Louvet  immediately  produced  it,  and  coolly  re- 
sumed his  dinner.  By  the  awkward  manner  in 
which  the  Mayor  handled  the  document,  the  fugitive 
gathered  that  he  could  scarcely  read. 

288 


LOUVET 

"  Where  is  the  seal  ?  " 

Louvet  pointed  to  a  stamp  which  it  bore,  adding 
that  in  his  country  that  was  the  only  manner  of 
sealing,  and  he  immediately  launched  out  on  a  dis- 
cussion of  the  merits  of  that  method,  interspersed 
with  a  selection  of  his  best  stories,  and  anecdotes  of 
his  life  and  adventures.  The  narrative  was  frequently 
interrupted  by  large  bumpers  of  the  landlady's  wine, 
which  he  had  just  ordered,  that  the  Citizen  Mayor 
might  do  him  the  signal  honour  of  drinking  with 
him.  Nothing  loath,  the  Citizen  Mayor  honoured 
him  so  much,  and  so  frequently  that  he  was  soon 
in  such  a  jovial  state  that  any  sort  of  passport  would 
have  satisfied  him.  So  far,  so  good.  But  the  hostess 
was  determined  not  to  lose  her  hundred  livres. 

"  I  will  go  and  fetch  the  Citizen  Procureur  Syndic," 
said  she ;  "he  can  read  any  writing  off-hand." 

This  worthy  soon  strode  into  the  room,  and  was 
received  as  one  with  whose  conspicuous  merit  the 
traveller  had  long  been  acquainted.  Louvet  called 
for  more  wine,  and  the  Mayor  begged  him  to  repeat 
one  of  his  last  stories  for  the  benefit  of  the  new- 
comer. This  naturally  led  to  a  second,  a  third,  and 
then  many  others ;  the  two  villagers  were  soon 
jingling  glasses,  amid  roars  of  laughter,  with  the  man 
they  had  come  to  arrest.  Meanwhile,  Louvet  filled 
their  glasses  incessantly,  taking  care  to  drink  as  little 
as  possible  himself.  By  degrees,  however,  he  too  grew 
rather  merry,  and,  of  course,  became  so  much  the 
better  company.  His  stories  growing  more  and  more 
diverting  made  the  countrymen  almost  die  of  laugh- 
ing. They  had  long  forgotten  all  about  the  passport, 

289  19 


LOUVET 

of  which,  however,  Louvet  often  reminded  them,  for 
the  eyes  of  the  landlady  were  constantly  upon  him. 
Again  and  again,  in  the  midst  of  his  tales,  he  would 
negligently  lay  it  on  the  table  before  him  for  a  few 
moments,  and  as  absently  slip  it  back  into  his  pocket- 
book.  Thus,  although  the  magistrates  had  many 
glimpses  of  it,  they  had  not  an  opportunity  of  actually 
examining  it.  Indeed,  the  more  Louvet  spoke,  the 
less  desire  they  showed  to  look  over  his  papers. 
How  was  it  possible  to  doubt  the  patriotism  of  a  dirty, 
out-at-elbows  rascal,  who  bawled,  and  swore,  and 
roared  with  the  best  of  them  ? 

But  the  landlady  was  so  enraged  at  what  she  saw, 
that  she  went  off  to  seek  a  municipal  officer  by  way 
of  reinforcement.  Louvet  forced  him  also  to  drink 
and  laugh,  and  laugh  and  drink  again ;  he,  too,  saw 
the  passport,  as  the  others  had  done — afar  off.  The 
jade  now  thinking  perhaps  only  of  selling  her  wine, 
brought  in  two  more  recruits.  But  as  they  entered 
Louvet  rose  to  pay  the  reckoning.  The  woman  tried 
to  make  him  pay  double,  but  he  roundly  told  her  to 
go  to  the  devil,  at  the  same  time  offering  her  his 
passport,  which  he  declared  was  sound  enough  to 
take  her  to  that  or  any  other  destination.  None 
present  ventured  to  dispute  this  bold  assertion,  and 
the  Mayor,  who  had  seen  the  paper,  was  ready  to 
vouch  for  its  genuineness,  though  with  less  assurance 
than  his  two  companions,  who  had  not  seen  it. 

Overwhelmed  by  their  compliments  and  good  wishes, 
Louvet  ordered  another  quart  of  wine,  and  after 
drinking  a  glass  to  the  health  of  the  new-comers, 
paid  his  score  and  took  his  leave,  much  to  the  regret 

290 


LOUVET 

of  the  whole  company,  not  excepting  the  landlady, 
who  had  now  to  relinquish  all  hope  of  the  blood- 
money  for  which  she  had  worked  so  hard. 

Taking  to  the  open  road,  the  outlaw  breathed  freely 
once  more.  He  had  a  day's  respite.  From  the  crest 
of  a  hill  on  the  morrow  he  saw  the  sun  shining  on 
the  roofs  of  Perigueux — a  dangerous  place.  He 
thought  of  Valady's  unfortunate  friend  ;  of  Valady's 
own  fate  there  he  was  happily  ignorant.  He  took 
the  road  to  Limoges,  which  passes  through  a  suburb 
of  the  town.  It  was  very  dark,  and  he  was  overcome 
with  fatigue  when  he  reached  the  hamlet  of  Les 
Tavernes,  two  miles  beyond  Perigueux. 

The  keeper  of  the  village  inn  was  just  going  to  bed 
when  Louvet  knocked  at  the  door,  He  had  scarcely 
asked  for  a  lodging,  when  he  was  ordered  to  produce 
his  passport.  The  man  at  once  observed  that  it  had 
no  visa  from  the  chief  town  of  the  district. 

"  I  see  it  is  from  Libourne,"  he  remarked  ;  "  other- 
wise I  should  have  stopped  you  at  once.  But  why 
did  you  pass  by  Perigueux  without  presenting  your- 
self to  the  magistrates  ?  To-morrow  you  will  have 
to  go  back." 

Louvet  tried  to  put  a  good  face  on  the  matter, 
merely  saying  that  the  only  objection  he  had  to  going 
back  to  Perigueux  was  that  of  unnecessarily  lengthening 
his  journey,  which  to  a  man  in  his  state  of  health  was 
a  serious  matter.  He  had  thought  it  both  unneces- 
sary and  impracticable,  he  said,  to  have  his  papers 
attested  at  every  town  he  happened  to  pass  near. 
To  this  the  fellow  replied  : 

"  Anyhow,  you'll  have  to  go  back." 

291  19* 


LOUVET 

At  this  point  a  public  carrier,  who  happened  to 
be  in  the  room,  good-naturedly  took  Louvet's  part, 
saying  that  it  was  barbarous  to  make  a  sick  man 
return  to  the  chief  town  simply  because  he  had  for- 
gotten to  get  his  papers  attested.  If  travellers,  he 
declared,  are  to  be  subjected  to  such  annoyances, 
everybody  will  stay  at  home,  and  then  what  will 
become  of  innkeepers,  carriers,  the  country  and  its 
trade  ?  This  timely  support  served  in  a  measure  to 
pacify  the  landlord  ;  yet  it  was  clear  that  he  regarded 
his  guest  with  as  much  suspicion  as  ever.  He  served 
him  with  a  piece  of  brown  bread  and  a  cup  of  wine 
for  supper.  The  honest  carrier  was  evidently  rather 
disgusted  at  the  man's  churlish  behaviour,  and  offered 
Louvet  part  of  the  chicken  he  was  eating.  The  two 
men  thereupon  began  to  talk,  and  the  outlaw  soon 
gathered  that  his  new  friend  held  the  present  Govern- 
ment in  the  utmost  detestation.  He  was  going  to 
Limoges  on  the  morrow  with  a  cartload  of  goods, 
and  very  civilly  offered  to  take  Louvet  with  him, 
unless  the  landlord  really  insisted  on  his  returning  to 
Perigueux. 

On  conducting  Louvet  to  his  garret,  the  landlady 
surprised  him  by  demanding  the  money  (ten  sous) 
in  advance  for  his  supper  and  lodging  ;  but,  all  things 
considered,  this  was  a  compliment  on  the  convincing 
manner  in  which  he  had  played  the  part  of  a  Jacobin 
of  the  period. 

But  the  hostile  bearing  of  the  landlord  had  so  much 
alarmed  him  that,  tired  as  he  was,  he  could  not  sleep, 
and  for  hours  lay  tossing  about  in  bed.  Towards 
morning,  however,  he  fell  into  a  heavy  slumber,  and 

292 


LOUVET 

woke  up  to  find  that  the  carrier  had  started  a  good 
hour  before.  To  crown  all,  his  precious  store  of 
opium  had  got  shifted  from  its  position  during  the 
restless  night,  and  was  nowhere  to  be  found.  For 
long  he  searched  for  it  in  vain,  and  when  at  length 
he  found  it,  his  joy  was  as  great  as  that  of  the  widow 
on  the  recovery  of  her  mite. 

On  limping  out  of  doors,  Louvet  found  the  inn- 
keeper already  in  the  saddle,  and  as  he  rode  off  he 
called  over  his  shoulder  : 

"  I  wish  you  a  pleasant  journey.  I'm  off  to 
Perigueux  !  " 

This  parting  shot  sent  the  fugitive  on  his  way  with 
a  heavy  heart,  for  he  thought  the  words  were  merely 
a  blind,  and  that  the  man  had  in  reality  gone  off  to 
the  next  town  to  denounce  him.  From  time  to  time 
he  inquired  of  persons  whom  he  met  on  the  road 
whether  they  had  seen  a  man  answering  to  his  descrip- 
tion of  the  landlord. 

"  Yes,"  said  one  of  the  travellers,  "  I  met  him  a  few 
minutes  ago  ;  you  will  soon  overtake  him,  for  he  put 
up  at  the  village  you  see  at  the  foot  of  the  hill." 

Fully  persuaded  that  the  man  had  acted  the  traitor, 
he  thought  the  only  alternative  was  to  return  to 
Perigueux  and  to  present  himself  to  the  municipality, 
hoping  that  his  apparently  voluntary  act  might 
create  a  good  impression.  Having  determined  on  this 
course  of  action,  he  sorrowfully  retraced  his  steps 
towards  the  dreaded  town.  He  had  not  proceeded  far 
before  he  met  the  friendly  carrier,  whom  he  had  pre- 
viously overtaken. 

"  Have  you  lost  anything  ?  "  asked  he. 
293 


LOUVET 

"  Alas  !  yes,  my  time  and  labour.  I  am  going 
back  to  Perigueux.  That  man  has  gone  to  betray 
me." 

"  Which  man  ?  " 

"  The  innkeeper.  I  saw  him  ride  by  in  a  grey  coat 
a  little  while  ago,  mounted  on  a  black  horse.  He 
has  gone  to  Palissous  yonder  to  denounce  me ;  and 
I  suppose  he  took  you  into  his  confidence,  and  told 
you  not  to  warn  me." 

'  You  are  quite  mistaken.  I  saw  the  man  you 
mention.  It  wasn't  the  innkeeper  at  all.  If  he  dared 
do  such  a  thing  I  would  never  put  up  at  his  house 
again." 

The  good  man  was  so  frank  and  sympathetic, 
and  so  honestly  indignant  at  Lou  vet's  suspicion,  that 
the  latter  felt  quite  reassured. 

'  You  are  utterly  unfit  to  go  back  to  Perigueux," 
continued  the  carrier.  "  Just  you  get  into  my  cart, 
and  come  and  dine  with  me  at  Palissous.  I  promise 
nobody  shall  ask  you  awkward  questions  whilst  you 
are  with  me.  For  I  say  again,  as  I  said  from  the 
first,  you  don't  look  like  a  thief." 

Without  waiting  for  an  explanation  of  this  back- 
handed sort  of  compliment,  Louvet  climbed  into  the 
cart,  and  was  soon  rolling  fairly  comfortably  on  his 
way.  At  dinner  the  carrier  opened  his  heart  to  his 
companion,  and  it  soon  transpired  that  the  inn- 
keeper had  taken  Louvet  neither  for  an  aristocrat, 
nor  for  a  Girondist,  but  for  a  thief,  and  would  have 
had  him  arrested  as  such  had  not  the  carrier  per- 
suaded him  that  he  was  wrong.  Hence  his  sus- 
picious and  threatening  bearing,  which  had  alarmed 

294 


LOUVEt 

the  fugitive,  and  his  wife's  demand  for  payment  in 
advance.  Henceforward  the  two  men's  confidence 
in  each  other  grew  apace.  Lou  vet  soon  ventured 
on  a  denunciation  of  the  Maratists,  who,  he  said, 
were  the  real  thieves  and  disturbers  of  the  peace. 
This  met  with  the  carrier's  hearty  approval,  for  a 
gang  of  these  rascals  had  shortly  before  robbed  him 
of  his  horse,  and  the  poor  fellow  was  in  mortal  terror 
lest  they  should  also  rob  him  of  his  wife,  to  whom 
he  was  passionately  attached.  Louvet  told  him 
that  he  was  a  merchant  of  Bordeaux  who  had  been 
hounded  out  of  his  home  by  these  anarchists,  and 
they  were  now  seeking  his  head  because  he  had 
boldly  come  forward  and  exposed  their  crimes. 

Thus  the  dinner-hour  slipped  by  quite  pleasantly  ; 
and  then  Louvet  paid  the  reckoning,  and  handed  his 
conductor  a  paper  order  for  fifty  livres,  begging  him 
in  future  to  make  the  payments  for  them  both.  They 
then  resumed  their  journey,  passing  the  night  at  a 
wayside  inn. 

The  next  morning  at  daybreak  they  passed  through 
Thiviers,  the  chief  town  of  the  district ;  the  fugitive 
lying  hidden  among  the  goods  in  the  cart.  Through 
the  small  towns  and  villages  Louvet  rode  openly  on 
bales  of  stuffs,  with  his  lame  leg  wrapped  up  in  a 
horse-cloth.  Who  could  suspect  that  this  wild-eyed 
young  man,  who  looked  like  a  volunteer  just  returning 
home  from  hospital  on  sick  leave,  was  one  of  the 
famous  proscribed  Girondist  Deputies,  on  whose  head 
a  price  was  set  ? 

About  four  miles  from  Limoges  this  boldness  brought 
him  perilously  near  to  disaster.  The  cart  had  just 

295 


LOUVET 

entered  the  little  town  of  Aixe-sur-Vienne,  and  as  his 
companion  had  assured  him  that  there  was  no  guard 
there,  Louvet  had  not  hidden  himself,  when  turning 
a  corner  suddenly  brought  them  face  to  face  with  a 
sentry  and  twenty  comrades,  sunning  themselves 
before  a  newly-erected  guard-house. 

"  Citizen,  your  passport,"  cried  the  sentry,  eyeing 
Louvet  attentively. 

Without  a  moment's  hesitation,  the  outlaw  lifted 
his  lame  leg. 

'  There  it  is,  you  little  devil !  "  he  cried.  "  Just 
you  go  where  I've  been  and  get  yourself  wounded  by 
those  thieves  in  La  Vendee,  and  when  you're  coming 
back,  your  smashed  leg  will  be  a  passport  which  will 
take  you  anywhere  you  please." 

"  Bravo  !  bravo  !  comrade  !  "  yelled  the  delighted 
sans-culottes,  clapping  their  hands.  The  sentry,  quite 
taken  aback,  joined  in  the  laugh,  whilst  the  carrier 
gave  Louvet  the  greatest  proof  of  attachment  by 
vigorously  plying  the  whip,  which  till  then  he  had 
not  used. 


296 


CHAPTER  XXV 

Louvet  and  his  companion  reach  Limoges — The  carrier's  home 
— His  wife's  trick — Louvet  is  passed  on  to  another  Carrier — 
His  new  companions — At  the  mercy  of  strangers — A  piquant 
situation — He  wins  the  good-will  of  his  fellow-passengers — 
A  dangerous  meeting — Louvet's  coolness — Incident  at  Argenton 
— The  Jacobin  agent's  missed  opportunity — Louvet  hears  bad 
news — His  fears  for  Lodoiska's  safety — Bitter  reflections  on 
reaching  Orleans — Stopped  at  the  barrier — He  gives  himself  up 
for  lost — A  hairbreadth  escape — Adventure  of  the  inquisitive 
Jacobin — Another  narrow  escape — He  watches  the  triumph 
of  an  enemy — In  the  midst  of  alarms — Longjumeau — Strange 
incident  at  a  table  d'hdte — He  hears  one  of  his  own  songs — 
Paris  at  last. 

ON  the  same  evening,  the  travellers  reached 
Limoges.  Knowing  that  Louvet  dared  not 
put  up  at  an  inn,  his  companion  took  him  to  his 
own  house.  There  he  stayed  for  two  days,  scarcely 
stirring  from  his  bed.  The  wife  did  all  she  could 
to  restore  his  health,  whilst  her  husband  sought 
among  his  acquaintances  for  a  man  whom  he  could 
trust  to  carry  his  guest  further  on  his  journey.  On 
the  night  of  the  third  day,  the  carrier  failing  to  re- 
turn at  his  usual  hour,  his  wife  burst  into  Louvet's 
room,  and  in  a  confused  and  agitated  manner  stated 
that  her  husband  had  ordered  her  to  take  him  imme- 
diately to  a  certain  inn,  where  there  were  some  carriers 
who  would  take  him  to  Orleans. 

"  No,  no,"  said  Louvet,  looking  her  in  the  eyes. 

'  You    must    be    mistaken,    carriers   never   start     at 

this  time  of  night.     Besides,  there  is  a  guard-house 

297 


LOUVET 

close  to  the  inn,  which  my  good  friend  your  husband 
has  already  told  me  to  avoid.  He  himself  will  get 
me  out  of  this  difficulty  :  he  has  sworn  to  do  so,  and 
I  trust  him  implicitly." 

At  these  words  she  began  to  cry,  and  then  con- 
fessed that,  being  frightened,  she  had  invented  the 
story  in  order  to  get  him  out  of  the  house.  She  im- 
plored him  not  to  tell  her  husband  of  her  little  trick. 
A  moment  later  the  carrier  ran  into  the  room  with  the 
good  news  that  he  had  found  a  young  man  who  would 
smuggle  his  guest  through  to  Paris  in  next  to  no 
time — as  loyal  and  discreet  a  fellow  as  ever  was.  He 
knew  the  traveller  was  "  contraband  goods." 

At  two  o'clock  in  the  morning,  the  carrier  called  his 
guest  to  partake  of  a  substantial  breakfast,  and  to 
drink  a  farewell  glass.  During  the  repast,  Louvet 
gathered  that  the  wife  had  become  so  terrified  that 
she  had  refused  to  sleep  at  home,  and  her  husband 
was  consequently  rather  depressed,  as  he  would  not 
have  another  opportunity  of  seeing  her  until  he 
returned  from  his  next  journey ;  still,  as  he  said  : 
"  It  was  not  often  given  him  to  save  a  good  man's 
life."  After  filling  his  guest's  pockets  with  bread, 
meat  and  fruit,  he  took  him  by  a  circuitous  route, 
in  order  to  avoid  the  guard-house  and  outposts,  to 
an  inn  about  a  mile  from  the  town,  and  handed  him 
over  to  his  new  conductor.  The  two  men  then 
warmly  embraced  each  other  and  separated. 

Louvet  found  that  the  conveyance  which  was  to 
take  him  the  rest  of  his  journey  carried  seven  pas- 
sengers beside  himself.  Apparently  his  new  com- 
panions agreed  on  only  one  point :  they  were  all 

298 


LOUVET 

red-hot  Jacobins.  Such  were  the  people  who,  solely 
to  please  the  driver,  were  to  keep  the  fugitive's  secret, 
and,  indeed,  to  run  considerable  personal  risk  on  his 
account.  It  was  clear  that  the  journey  would  be 
an  extremely  hazardous  one,  for  he  was  compelled 
to  place  himself  absolutely  at  the  mercy  of  these 
strangers.  It  was  agreed  upon  among  them  that 
wherever  passports  were  likely  to  be  examined, 
Louvet  should  lie  hidden  at  the  bottom  of  the  wagon 
covered  by  the  great-coats  of  the  men  and  the  petti- 
coats of  their  wives.  Much  depended  on  his  winning 
the  good  will  of  all  his  companions,  and  to  this  task 
he  at  once  set  himself.  By  the  second  day  his 
sprightliness  and  unfailing  good  humour  had  won 
all  hearts. 

On  the  afternoon  of  the  third  day,  during  a  hard 
frost,  Louvet,  feeling  his  limbs  benumbed  with  the 
cold,  got  down  to  walk  by  the  side  of  a  man  who 
accompanied  the  caravan  on  horseback.  They  were 
passing  through  Le  Bois-Remont,  a  village  in  the 
Department  of  Indre,  consisting  of  five  or  six  cottages, 
never  dreaming  of  danger,  when  they  came  suddenly 
face  to  face  with  a  National  Guard.  The  outlaw 
calmly  walked  up  to  him,  with  the  words  : 

"  What  are  you  doing  here,  comrade  ?  Keeping 
yourself  warm  ?  " 

"  If  you  would  have  me  warmer,"  laughed  the 
sentinel,  "  you  have  only  to  bring  me  a  glass  of 
wine." 

"  With  all  my  heart :   I'll  go  and  fetch  one." 

He  returned  to  the  inn,  and  sent  one  of  his  com- 
panions with  the  wine.  Meanwhile,  the  soldier 

299 


LOUVET 

examined  the  passports,  but  forgot  to  ask  Louvet  for 
his.  The  innkeeper  informed  them  that  on  account 
of  the  near  approach  of  the  rebels  of  La  Vendee,  a 
guard  had  been  placed  at  every  village  on  the  road 
to  Paris.  The  news  was  scarcely  encouraging,  and 
the  carrier  looked  grave,  as,  indeed,  he  well  might. 
However,  he  drew  the  fugitive  aside,  and  whispered  : 
"  You  manage  these  people  splendidly  ;  go  on  as 
you  are  now  doing,  and  don't  be  afraid  of  my 
flinching,  I'd  carry  you  through  were  you  the  devil 
himself." 

Louvet  warmly  thanked  him,  and  promised  to  do 
all  he  could  to  make  it  worth  the  good  fellow's  while. 
At  Argent  on,  where  they  put  up  the  next  evening, 
the  whole   population  was   in  a  ferment  on  account 
of  the  arrest  of  two  volunteers,  who  had  been  found 
travelling   without    proper   passports.     A   few   yards 
from  the  town  gates,  one  of  the  prisoners  had  sud- 
denly drawn  a  knife,  which  he  threw  to  his  companion, 
bidding  him  use  it,  and  had  then  plunged  into  the 
river,    whence    his    body    was    recovered    two    hours 
later.    The  survivor  had  been  thrown  into  prison  to 
wait    the    perfunctory   trial,    which,    in   such   cases, 
preceded    summary     execution.     Fearing    that    the 
unfortunate  men  were  his  dear  friends  Guadet  and 
Salle,  Louvet  was  deeply  depressed,  though,  in  order 
to  sustain  his   role,  he  was  obliged  to  suppress  all 
signs  of  emotion.     It  was  not  till  long  after  he  learned 
that  they  were  not  the  late  companions  of  his  flight. 
The  one  who  drowned  himself  was  probably  Rebecqui, 
the  Girondist  Deputy  for  Marseilles,  an  acquaintance, 
though  not  an  intimate  friend  of  the  fugitive. 

300 


LOUVET 

At  Chateauroux  the  passengers'  papers  were  again 
subjected  to  a  severe  scrutiny  by  a  Jacobin  agent, 
who  looked  into  the  conveyance  to  assure  himself 
that  "  no  Girondist  should  escape  him."  It  was  an 
anxious  moment  for  all  concerned.  But  the  agitator 
missed  the  opportunity  of  his  life  when  he  failed  to 
rummage  amongst  the  pile  of  coats,  cloaks,  petticoats 
and  bandboxes,  which  he  must  have  observed  in  a 
corner  of  the  wagon  ;  for  what  would  not  Robespierre 
have  given  for  the  head  of  his  very  special  foe  ? 

It  was  here,  too,  that  Louvet  received  confirmation 
of  the  news  of  Mme.  Roland's  death.  When  her 
name  was  mentioned,  he  could  not  refrain  from 
murmuring  a  few  words  of  pity  for  her  death  and 
admiration  for  her  virtues.  He  could  scarcely  keep 
back  the  tears  which  started  to  his  eyes  as  he  thought 
of  that  noble  woman  facing  with  stoical  courage  the 
indignities  and  insults  of  her  cowardly  assassins. 
Her  death  would,  he  knew,  be  a  terrible  blow  to 
Lodoiska,  for  in  her  she  lost  her  dearest  and  most 
intimate  friend.  And  what,  he  asked  himself,  had 
become  of  his  wife  ?  Had  the  wretches  murdered  her 
also  ?  The  thought  unnerved  him,  and  he  sought  to 
put  it  from  him.  This  was  no  time  for  weakness. 
He  would  need  all  his  pluck  and  resourcefulness,  all 
his  nerve  and  coolness,  it  he  would  reach  Paris  with- 
out disaster. 

As  the  caravan  approached  the  capital,  Louvet's 
situation  grew  more  and  more  dangerous.  The 
travellers  were  examined  two  or  three  times  every 
day,  and  the  Girondist  ran  the  gravest  risk  of  being 
recognized  in  one  of  the  crowded  inns  where  he  was 

301 


LOUVET 

obliged  to  dine  with  his  fellow-passengers.  More- 
over, the  news  of  his  friends  which  he  obtained  on 
the  road  from  time  to  time  saddened  and  discouraged 
him.  At  Vierzon,  he  heard  of  the  death  of  Cussy  ; 
at  Salbris,  the  execution  of  Kersaint  and  Manuel ; 
and  at  Ferte-Lowendal,  the  pitiful  suicide  of  the  heart- 
broken Roland.  Next  there  was  the  story  of  Lidon's 
cruel  betrayal  at  the  hands  of  the  man  whom  he 
regarded  as  his  dearest  friend.  He  fought  single- 
handed  against  two  brigades  of  gens-d'armes,  who 
were  sent  to  arrest  him,  and  when  he  felt  himself 
on  the  point  of  being  overpowered,  blew  out  his 
brains. 

The  news  of  the  tragic  deaths  of  so  many  of  his 
political  colleagues  and  old  friends  filled  the  outlaw 
with  despair.  What  was  the  use  of  further  effort  ? 
He  remembered  how  Robespierre  delighted  to  strike 
at  his  victims  through  the  women  they  loved.  How 
was  it  possible  that  he  could  have  let  Lodo'iska  escape 
him  ?  Even  if  he  succeeded  in  reaching  Paris,  which 
was  at  least  problematical,  would  it  not  almost  cer- 
tainly be  to  find  that  she  was  dead  ?  Then  why  not 
put  an  end  to  his  tortures  forthwith  ? 

In  the  midst  of  these  melancholy  reflections,  the 
wagon  entered  Orleans,  the  capital  of  the  Depart- 
ment which  had  elected  him  as  its  representative, 
and  was  now  full  of  his  triumphant  enemies.  The 
scaffold  erected  in  the  market-place  was  wet  with 
the  blood  of  his  adherents  (Louvetins,  as  they  were 
called),  and  the  prisons  were  choked  with  people 
suspected  of  attachment  to  the  man  who  had  once 
been  the  idol  of  the  Department,  and  now  stole  into 

302 


LOUVET 

the  town  as  a  fugitive,  scarcely  believing  or  even 
hoping  that  he  would  ever  leave  it  alive. 

Unhappily,  the  carrier  had  many  packets  to  deliver 
and  to  collect,  so  Louvet  was  compelled  to  stay  for 
four  hours  in  a  place  where  he  could  not  without 
rashness  remain  for  ten  minutes.  But,  after  what 
seemed  an  eternity  of  waiting,  the  caravan  at  last 
made  a  move.  The  travellers  were  allowed  to  reach 
the  barrier  unchallenged  ;  but  here  they  were  brought 
to  a  halt  by  the  eternal  demand  to  produce  their 
papers. 

"  Our  passports  have  all  been  examined,"  cried  the 
carrier. 

"  That  is  not  the  point,"  retorted  the  officer  of  the 
guard.  "  Tell  everyone  to  get  out." 

"  Why  ?  "  asked  the  tradesman's  wife. 

"  Let  everyone  get  out,  I  tell  you  !  " 

At  this  the  men  all  climbed  out. 

"  The  women  too !  "  shouted  the  officer.  "It  is 
so  easy  for  men  to  put  on  women's  clothes." 

"  I  assure  you  that  all  the  passports  have  been 
examined,  and  found  correct,"  repeated  the  carrier  in 
a  trembling  voice. 

"  Who's  talking  about  passports  ?  I  don't  want 
to  see  passports.  I  want  to  see  faces.  I  know  what 
I'm  about.  Now,  you  women,  out  you  get ;  and 
none  of  your  tricks,  mind  !  I'm  going  to  look  into 
the  wagon  myself." 

On  hearing  these  words,  Louvet  gave  himself  up 
for  lost.  He  had  probably  been  recognized  and 
denounced.  Well,  the  sooner  the  end  came,  the  better 
— there  are  limits  to  human  endurance.  Still,  he 

303 


LOUVET 

would  do  his  best  to  get  through  for  Lodoi'ska's  sake. 
Besides,  he  had  been  forced  to  play  a  game  in  which 
his  head  was  the  stake,  and  it  was  really  too  humiliat- 
ing to  be  beaten  by  Robespierre.  Thus,  his  sporting 
instinct,  if  nothing  else,  would  have  compelled  him  to 
play  the  game  to  a  finish. 

The  women  got  down,  leaving  half  the  Girondist's 
body  uncovered.  Quickly  and  noiselessly,  he  threw 
some  straw  over  his  legs  and  drew  the  carrier's  great 
coat  over  his  head  ;  then,  taking  a  pistol  from  his 
breast-pocket,  he  placed  the  muzzle  in  his  mouth, 
keeping  his  finger  on  the  trigger,  and  waited. 

Meanwhile,  the  officer  carefully  scrutinized  every 
face. 

"  Is  there  anybody  else  in  the  wagon  ?  "  he  de- 
manded ;  but  without  waiting  for  an  answer,  he 
jumped  in.  His  boot  struck  Louvet's  thigh.  He 
kicked  the  bandboxes,  and  overturned  some  of 
the  clothes  ;  his  foot  was  pressed  against  the  great- 
coat covering  the  fugitive's  head ;  but  he  saw 
nothing. 

"  Gad  !  that  was  a  narrow  squeak  !  "  cried  the 
carrier,  a  quarter  of  an  hour  later.  He  was  still  as 
white  as  a  sheet,  and  trembled  all  over. 

At  Etampes,  next  day,  there  was  another  alarm. 
An  inquisitive  Jacobin  climbed  on  the  step,  and 
put  his  head  into  the  wagon  to  read  the  passports  ; 
and,  looking  round,  reckoned  on  his  fingers  in 
order  to  satisfy  himself  that  the  passports  tallied 
with  the  number  of  the  passengers.  He  counted 
them  over  two  or  three  times,  and  then  demanded 
if  there  was  anyone  else  inside.  He  was  not  told 

304 


LOUVET 

about  the  thin  little  man  who  lay  half-smothered 
at  the  bottom  of  the  cart,  with  two  women  sitting 
on  his  legs  and  thighs,  a  girl  seated  on  his  chest,  and 
his  head  crushed  under  a  soldier's  knapsack,  upon 
which  the  Jacobin  often  leaned  to  balance  himself. 
But,  at  last,  they  were  allowed  to  pass  on  their 
way. 

In  the  town  itself,  Louvet  had  to  assist,  unwillingly 
enough,  at  the  triumph  of  a  Deputy  on  mission,  who 
was  returning  in  state  to  Paris.  The  route  was  gay 
with  the  national  colours,  and  the  whole  population 
had  turned  out  to  do  honour  to  the  Mountaineer.  As 
he  passed  there  was  a  roar  of  "  Long  live  the  Citizen 
Representative  !  "  "  Down  with  the  Federalists  !  " 
The  spectacle  scarcely  tended  to  enliven  the  fugitive. 
Could  these  be  the  people  for  whom  he  had  sacrificed 
himself  ?  He  bitterly  contrasted  his  situation  with 
that  of  his  enemy. 

On  the  one  hand  was  the  man  who  had  cheer- 
fully given  up  all  that  made  life  worth  living  for 
what  he  deemed  to  be  the  good  of  his  fellow-country- 
men ;  and  on  the  other,  the  ignorant,  corrupt, 
and  sordidly  ambitious  Mountaineer,  who  had  never 
made  the  smallest  sacrifice,  and  had  consistently  used 
his  ill-gotten  power  to  further  his  own  interests.  The 
first  found  himself  a  fugitive,  clad  in  rags,  and  forced 
to  practice  the  most  humiliating  expedients  to  pre- 
serve himself  from  a  criminal's  death ;  whilst  the 
second,  wherever  he  went,  was  almost  deafened  by  the 
acclamation  of  the  fickle  multitude.  Still,  this  was 
ever  the  way  of  the  world,  the  Girondist  reflected  ; 
and  had  not  the  man  now  riding  past  been  present 

305  20 


LOUVET 

in  the  Convention  when  Lesage  uttered  the  prophetic 
words,  "  The  people  have  lost  their  reason  ;  imme- 
diately they  recover  it  you  will  perish  !  "  In  spite  of 
all,  he  believed  in  that  prophecy,  which  was  so  soon 
to  be  fulfilled. 

Louvet  was  not  sorry  to  leave  the  place  behind, 
the  more  so  because  one  of  the  women  insisted  on 
having  the  blind  of  the  conveyance  drawn  in  order 
that  she  might  see  the  procession  ;  thus  unnecessarily 
exposing  him  to  the  greatest  danger. 

That  day  and  the  following  night  passed  in  the 
midst  of  alarms.  The  inns  were  full  to  overflowing, 
and  at  Arpajon,  the  travellers  had  the  misfortune  to 
put  up  at  the  house  where  the  Deputy  was  expected 
at  a  late  hour.  When  he  heard  this,  the  outlaw 
begged  the  landlady  to  show  him  to  the  least  com- 
fortable of  her  rooms  at  the  top  of  the  house,  on  the 
grounds  that  an  invalid,  such  as  he,  ought  not  on  any 
account  to  be  disturbed  during  the  night.  He  rightly 
thought  that  neither  the  Mountaineer  nor  his  com- 
panions would  deign  to  sleep  in  a  garret ;  and  although 
he  carefully  primed  his  pistols  and  put  his  opium 
close  at  hand,  he  was  left  in  undisturbed  possession 
of  his  bed. 

The  carrier,  who  had  long  come  to  the  conclusion 
that  his  passenger  was  a  person  of  more  consequence 
than  he  cared  to  acknowledge,  discreetly  played  up 
to  him,  and  was  ever  ready  to  second  him  in  an 
emergency. 

"  It's  a  pleasure  to  serve  a  man  who  has  his  wits 
about  him,  like  you  !  "  he  whispered  on  one  occasion, 
squeezing  his  hand. 

306 


LOUVET 

At  Longjumeau,  when  the  travellers  sat  down  to 
dinner,  the  public  room  was  crowded  with  holiday- 
makers.  Lou  vet  had  scarcely  taken  his  place  at  the 
table  when  he  noticed  one  of  the  visitors  watching 
him  intently.  The  fugitive  went  on  eating  uncon- 
cernedly, though  with  a  spoilt  appetite.  Presently 
the  man  turned  abruptly  to  the  landlord,  and  said 
loudly  enough  for  the  outlaw  to  hear  him : 

"  Do  you  take  me  for  a  song- writer  ?  For  my  part, 
I  don't  deal  in  that  line."  Was  this  a  hint  that  he 
recognized  the  author  of  Faublas  ?  He  next  whispered 
a  few  words  in  the  ear  of  the  friend  by  his  side,  who 
thereupon  began  to  hum  some  verses  of  one  of  Louvet's 
best  known  songs  : 

"  Is  it  fear  or  indifference  ? 
I  wish  I  could  guess." 

The  fugitive  scarcely  knew  what  to  think  of  the 
incident.  The  lines  may  have  been  introduced  by 
chance,  yet  he  deemed  it  prudent  to  take  the  earliest 
opportunity  of  leaving  the  table. 

As  the  travellers  approached  Paris,  all  manner  of 
precautions  were  taken  lest  they  should  be  searched 
at  the  barriers  ;  but  they  were  quite  unexpectedly 
allowed  to  pass  without  a  word.  At  the  Rue  d'Enfer, 
Louvet  warmly  thanked  his  fellow-passengers  ;  then, 
taking  his  conductor  aside,  he  assured  him  that  he 
would  never  forget  the  services  he  had  rendered,  and 
begged  him  to  accept  all  the  paper  money  he  had 
left,  amounting  to  a  hundred  francs,  to  which  he 
added  a  gold  watch,  worth  about  six  times  that 

307  20* 


LOUVET 

amount ;  and  at  the  same  time  expressed  his  regret 
that  it  was  not  in  his  power  to  reward  him  as  he  would 
have  wished  to  do.  The  two  men  grasped  hands  and 
parted :  the  carrier  to  return  to  his  wagon,  and 
Louvet  to  an  inn  to  wait  for  a  coach  which  one  of  his 
companions  had  promised  to  fetch  for  him. 

Thus  at  two  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  of  December 
6th,  Louvet  found  himself  alone  in  the  heart  of  Paris, 
where  he  had  a  few  lukewarm  friends  and  innumerable 
deadly  enemies,  conscious  that  at  any  moment  he 
might  be  recognized  and  dragged  to  an  ignominious 
death.  On  the  same  day,  at  Bourg-la-Reine, 
Condorcet  died  like  the  Stoic  and  philosopher  that  he 
was  ;  but  of  this  Louvet  mercifully  knew  nothing. 


308 


CHAPTER  XXVI 

Louvet  searches  for  Lodoiska — Reunion — Deserted  by  their 
friends — Bremont  gives  them  half  an  hour  in  which  to  leave  his 
house — Barbarity  of  this  decision  — They  decide  to  die  together 
— Louvet's  bold  course — Lodoiska's  plan — Her  ascendancy, 
and  how  she  maintained  it — Louvet's  romanticism — A  fresh 
asylum — Lodoiska  builds  a  secret  chamber — Faint-hearted  friends 
— Lodoiska  plans  Louvet's  escape — His  letter — He  leaves  Paris 
in  disguise — He  is  detained  by  a  Government  official — A 
momentous  interview — An  unknown  friend — Louvet  reaches 
the  Jura  Mountains — Homesickness — Anxiety  on  account  of 
Lodoiska — His  imagination  plays  him  tricks — Schemes  of 
vengeance — Safe  arrival  of  Lodoiska — They  suffer  many  petty 
persecutions — Their  wanderings  in  search  of  a  lodging — A  folk- 
moot — Louvet  pleads  with  the  village  magnates — Lodoiska  bears 
him  a  son — The  fall  of  Robespierre. 

LOUVET  directed  the  coachman  to  drive  to  the 
house  of  the  friends  with  whom  Lodoiska  was 
staying  when  he  had  last  heard  from  her.  Dismissing 
the  coach  at  the  corner  of  the  neighbouring  street,  he 
hastened  to  the  door  which  he  knew  so  well,  and 
knocked.  It  was  opened  by  a  little  boy,  whom  he 
recognized  as  the  son  of  a  Deputy — his  father  having 
often  brought  him  to  the  Convention. 

"  How  is  this  ?  "  asked  the  fugitive.  "  Does  not 
Citizen  Bremont  live  here  ?  " 

"  No,"  replied  the  boy. 

"  Who,  then  ?  " 

"  Papa  ;   here  he  comes." 

Steps  were  heard  approaching  from  an  adjoining 
room,  and  without  waiting  for  more  Louvet 

3°9 


LOUVET 

downstairs,  crossed  the  court  and  gained  the  street. 

He  inquired  of  a  servant,  whom  he  met  entering  the 

house,   where  Bre"mont  now  lived,   and  hastened  to 

the  new  address  on  foot. 
He  reached  the  house  in  safety,  and  the  first  voice 

he   heard  was   that   of  Lodoi'ska.     His  blood  sang ! 

Without  knocking,  he  rushed  into  the  room.     With 

a  cry  Lodoi'ska  threw  herself  into  his  arms.  That 
moment  wiped  out  the  memory  of  all  his  perils  and 
misfortunes. 

The  mistress  of  the  house,  with  her  nephews  and 
her  niece,  now  came  in  to  minister  to  the  wants  of 
the  returned  exile  ;  and  when  they  had  brought  him 
linen,  clothes  and  food,  they  conducted  him  to  his 
wife's  room,  and  shut  the  door  on  them.  Need  we 
follow  them  further  ?  Nobody  can  doubt  the  warmth 
of  their  affection  for  each  other,  but,  in  writing  of 
his  wife,  Louvet  never  could  learn  to  trust  the  unaided 
imagination  of  his  reader. 

Having  seen  him  comfortably  tucked  up  in  bed, 
Lodoi'ska  left  the  room  to  provide  for  his  immediate 
needs.  She  soon  returned  with  an  anxious  face. 

"  We  are  almost  alone  in  the  house,"  she  said. 
*'  All  the  young  people  have  left,  and  the  niece  passed 
by  me  to  get  her  cloak,  and  went  out  without  a  word. 
I  expect  she  will  be  back  before  long  ;  still,  I  think 
she  might  have  waited  a  little  while." 

"  Oh,  she'll  come  back  right  enough,"  replied 
Louvet,  who  had  grown  optimistic  during  the  last 
hour.  He  believed  in  his  friends  ;  at  that  moment 
he  would  have  believed  in  almost  anybody.  Besides, 
the  girl  owed  everything  to  him  and  his  wife ;  she 

310 


LOUVET 

was  as  their  adopted  daughter,  and  they  intended  to 
make  her  the  heiress  of  their  small  fortune.  But  she 
did  not  return  ;  fear  had  driven  every  other  feeling 
from  her  heart,  and  she  had  taken  the  first  oppor- 
tunity of  escaping  from  the  house  which  sheltered 
the  proscribed  Girondist. 

At  half-past  ten  Louvet's  wife  awakened  him  out 
of  a  deep  sleep.  She  was  trembling  violently,  her 
features  stiffened  with  terror.  "  My  dear,"  she  said 
in  a  broken  voice,  "  I  have  bad  news.  Bremont  has 
just  returned,  and  gives  you  half  an  hour  in  which 
to  leave  his  house !  I  repeat  his  very  words.  Our 
oldest  and  most  trusted  friend  refuses  to  receive  you, 
is  afraid  even  to  see  you ;  sends  us,  in  fact,  to  the 
Place  de  la  Revolution  !  " 

For  some  moments  the  fugitive  could  scarcely  be- 
lieve his  ears.  Then  his  surprise  gave  way  to  indig- 
nation. Lodoi'ska's  eyes  were  fixed  on  his. 

"  My  only  hope  is  in  your  courage,"  she  said  softly. 
"  I  have  at  least  one  consolation  :  you  are  no  longer 
quite  alone  as  in  the  Gironde  ;  and  if  we  have  to  die, 
it  will  be  together  and  in  our  own  good  time,"  she 
added,  touching  the  opium  which  she  likewise  always 
carried  hidden  in  her  bosom. 

Many  of  the  Revolutionists  took  kindly  to  the  idea 
of  their  wives  committing  suicide  over  their  graves, 
and  at  the  present  juncture  Lodoi'ska's  words  seem  to 
have  had  a  soothing  effect  on  her  husband.  He 
braced  himself  to  meet  the  new  peril. 

In  order  to  realize  its  magnitude,  it  must  be  remem- 
bered that  during  the  Terror  the  retreat  was  beaten 
at  ten  o'clock  every  night,  and  anyone  found  in  the 


LOUVET 

streets  of  Paris  after  that  hour  was  taken  to  the 
nearest  guard-house,  where  he  was  called  upon  to 
produce  his  certificate  of  citizenship,  bearing  his 
name  and  address,  the  Section  to  which  he  belonged, 
and  a  careful  description  of  his  person.  Louvet's  old 
card  was  now,  of  course,  worse  than  useless,  and  he 
had  no  other.  Thus,  to  turn  him  into  the  street  at 
that  time  was,  as  his  wife  said,  to  deliver  him  over 
to  the  executioner. 

"  What  shall  we  do,  dear  ?  "  asked  Lodoi'ska,  at 
her  wits'  end. 

"  Go  and  tell  him  he  deserves  that  I  should  crawl 
this  instant  to  his  door  and  blow  out  my  brains  on  his 
threshold ;  but  for  the  sake  of  our  old  friendship,  I 
have  decided  to  die  without  compromising  him.  Yet 
tell  him  that  no  power  on  earth  shall  tear  me  from 
his  house  alive  at  this  hour,  and  that  nothing  shall 
prevent  me  from  leaving  it,  with  every  precaution, 
to-morrow  evening  at  seven  o'clock.  If  fear  has 
quite  turned  his  brain  let  him  sleep  elsewhere  ;  some 
friend  of  thirty  years'  standing  will  not  refuse  to 
shelter  him  for  a  night — he  is  not  proscribed.  If  he 
insists  and  threatens,  say  he  has  taught  me  one  lesson, 
and  if  he  would  teach  me  another,  he  may  go  himself 
and  denounce  me.  Let  him  bring  my  murderers  to 
me,  and  thus  save  us  both  the  trouble  of  sending  me 
to  them." 

The  message  was  faithfully  delivered,  for  in  spite 
of  her  softness  Lodoi'ska  could  be  nasty  when  the 
occasion  required  it  of  her.  Still,  we  cannot  help 
feeling  a  certain  amount  of  sympathy  with  Bremont ; 
for,  after  all,  he  had  to  consider  the  lives  of  his  wife 

312 


LOUVET 

and  children.  He  had  to  choose  between  them  and 
his  friends — one  or  other  had  to  go.  Who  can  blame 
him  if  he  sacrificed  the  latter  ?  Louvet  could  scarcely 
be  expected  to  see  the  matter  in  this  light  at  the 
time,  but  reflection  did  not  modify  his  views,  and 
his  judgment  of  his  old  friend  seems  unnecessarily 
harsh.  It  appears  never  to  have  occurred  to  him 
to  imagine  himself  in  Bremont's  cruel  position. 
Would  he,  under  such  circumstances,  have  sacrificed 
Lodoi'ska  ?  We  cannot  believe  it. 

On  hearing  Louvet's  words  Bremont  turned  pale, 
and  left  the  house  in  silence.  Lodoi'ska  returned  to 
the  room,  bringing  Madame  Bremont,  who  was  loud 
in  condemning  the  inhumanity  of  her  husband  ;  but 
she  protested  overmuch,  which  led  them  to  suspect 
the  responsibility  for  the  action  was  as  much  hers  as 
his — a  conjecture  which  was  afterwards  confirmed. 

During  the  night  Lodoi'ska  carefully  thought  out 
a  plan  of  action,  which  she  determined  to  put  into 
execution  on  the  morrow.  Choosing  a  remote  quarter 
of  the  city,  she  would  rent  apartments  in  her  maiden 
name,  and  when  all  was  settled  Louvet  should  join 
her.  If  she  could  once  get  him  safely  there,  she 
thought  she  would  be  able  to  shelter  him  for  a  week, 
a  fortnight,  or  even  a  month,  before  her  neighbours 
found  out  who  she  was  and  denounced  her ;  and 
when  that  time  came  they  would  have  the  satisfaction 
of  going  out  hand  in  hand,  feeling  that  they  had  lived 
long  enough.  Certainly  those  who  despise  death  enter 
on  a  struggle  of  this  sort  with  a  distinct  advantage. 

"  A  whole  month  together ! — think  of  it,  my 
dear !  "  cried  Lodoi'ska,  clapping  her  hands  with 

313 


LOUVET 

delight  at  the  thought.  "  By  then  we  shall  have 
lived  more  truly  than  many  who  die  of  old  age  !  Like 
St.  Preux,  we  '  shall  not  leave  the  world  without  having 
tasted  happiness !  ' 

Lodoi'ska  knew  her  man.  This  was  the  sort  of 
thing  in  which  his  soul  delighted.  He  took  her  in 
his  arms  and  devoured  her  with  kisses,  craving  the 
reader's  indulgence  on  the  ground  that  "  those 
moments  were  at  once  the  most  delightful  and  the 
most  melancholy  of  my  life." 

Not  the  least  interesting  feature  of  these  memoirs 
is  the  insight  they  give  us  into  the  psychology  of  a 
great  romantic  love.  Louvet  was  early  persuaded 
that  his  wife  was  an  extraordinary  woman,  and  to  a 
certain  point  we  are  inclined  to  agree  with  him  ;  but 
the  qualities  which  aroused  his  special  enthusiasm 
were  those  common  to  the  women  of  her  race.  Most 
women  are  at  first  set  on  a  pedestal  by  the  men  who 
love  them,  but  it  is  only  the  cleverer  among  them 
who  succeed  in  maintaining  the  position  after  the 
first  year  of  marriage.  Lodoi'ska  preserved  her  ascen- 
dancy to  the  last,  and  Louvet  sometimes  uncon- 
sciously reveals  how  she  did  it.  Where  she  differed 
from  the  ordinary  woman  was  in  her  remarkable 
aptitude  for  living  up  to  her  husband's  romantic 
conception  of  herself ;  and  although  she  loved  him 
passionately,  she  had  the  wit  to  play  the  part  of 
gracious  divinity  which  he  had  given  her.  Other 
women  would  soon  have  tired  of  the  situation,  but 
Lodoi'ska  never  did ;  and,  on  the  whole,  she  sat  her 
pedestal  rather  gracefully,  whilst  Louvet  was  in 
raptures  at  her  knees. 

314 


LOUVET 

At  seven  o'clock  the  next  evening,  the  young  man 
who  had  received  the  outlaw  before  he  fled  to  Caen, 
called  to  take  him  to  his  home  once  more,  though  he 
could  lodge  him  for  only  three  days,  for  some  sans- 
culottes lived  on  the  same  floor,  and  the  dividing  wall 
was  so  thin  that  almost  every  motion  could  be 
heard  in  the  adjoining  apartment.  A  friend  of  his 
wife's  next  offered  to  shelter  him,  but  she  was  so 
frightened  during  the  first  day  that  Lodoi'ska  was 
obliged  to  take  him  on  the  morrow  to  her  new  lodging, 
although  the  hiding-place  she  was  preparing  for  him 
was  not  yet  finished. 

He  found  that  during  his  absence  she  had  been 
busy  with  saw,  plane  and  trowel  in  constructing  with 
her  own  hands  a  secret  chamber  in  the  wall  of  one 
of  her  rooms.  He  was  unable  to  assist  her  owing  to 
his  shortsightedness,  yet  five  days  later  she  had 
completed  an  ingenious  and  perfectly  safe  hiding-place, 
into  which  he  could  escape  on  the  first  alarm.  The 
retreat  was  tolerably  large,  with  a  bench  for  a  seat, 
and  a  kind  of  valve  for  renewing  the  air. 

In  this  den  the  outlaw  passed  many  not  un- 
pleasant hours,  for  he  had  matches  and  a  candle  to 
read  by,  pens,  ink  and  paper,  and  a  supply  of  pro- 
visions in  case  of  accident.  He  eagerly  read  the 
journals  day  by  day  for  news  of  his  friends,  and  when 
that  depressed  him  too  much  he  turned  for  con- 
solation to  Virgil's  Georgics,  Delille's  Gardens,  and 
Gesner's  Idylls.  He  ventured  out  only  when  his  wife 
signalled  that  all  was  safe.  They  had  neighbours 
beneath  them  as  well  as  on  the  same  floor,  and  the 
boards  and  dividing  walls  were  thin.  They,  there- 

315 


LOUVET 

fore,  spread  a  stout  carpet  over  the  former  and  hung 
the  latter  with  some  thick  tapestry.  Lodoi'ska  also 
made  her  husband  a  pair  of  coarse  woollen  slippers 
with  strong  horse-hair  soles  to  enable  him  to  take 
exercise  without  noise.  In  fact,  no  precaution  which 
a  loving  woman  could  devise  to  ensure  his  safety 
was  neglected. 

They  would  have  been  fairly  comfortable,  in 
spite  of  the  unavoidable  inconveniences,  had  it 
not  been  for  the  constant  dread  of  a  house- 
to-house  search  for  suspected  persons  which  were 
still  much  in  favour.  Such  a  visit  would  mean 
almost  certain  destruction,  for  Lodoi'ska  had  been  a 
well-known  figure  during  the  ascendancy  of  the 
Girondists,  and  Hebert  of  the  Municipality  and 
Amar  of  the  Convention  were  her  sworn  personal 
enemies.  The  fugitive  and  his  wife,  therefore,  slept 
in  the  last  of  their  three  rooms,  and  kept  all  the  doors 
locked  and  bolted.  Domiciliary  visits  were  paid 
only  at  night-time,  and  they  determined  that  if  anyone 
knocked  they  would  on  no  account  open,  and  if  their 
first  door  should  be  forced,  they  would  still  have  time 
to  prevent  their  enemies  from  taking  them  alive. 
For  this  purpose  Lou  vet  was  careful  to  slip  a  pair 
of  loaded  pistols  under  the  pillow  every  night.  The 
couple  often  fell  asleep,  expecting  to  open  their  eyes 
in  a  little  while  only  to  close  them  again  for  ever. 

Often  at  the  knock  of  a  belated  lodger,  awaking 
them  with  a  start,  Louvet  would  silently  embrace  his 
wife  and  look  to  the  priming  of  his  weapons.  And  yet 
he  says,  "  my  Lodoi'ska  rose  each  day  more  charming 
than  ever !  "  An  eminently  satisfactory  state  of 

316 


LOUVET 

affairs,  as  all  will  agree.  Our  friend,  as  we  have  before 
had  occasion  to  remark,  was  no  curmudgeon,  but  a 
confiding,  open-hearted  fellow,  who  boldly  asks  the 
world  to  rejoice  with  him  in  his  good  fortune.  He 
was  proud  of  his  wife,  and  he  lost  no  opportunity  of 
saying  so.  But  times  and  manners  change.  Nowa- 
days we  have  a  very  proper  contempt  for  this  kind 
of  thing.  We  call  it  sentimentality  or  mawkishness, 
and  consider  it  the  worst  possible  form.  No  modern 
husband  could  speak  of  his  wife  in  this  lyrical  vein 
without  provoking  scorn  and  derision  ;  it  is  only  his 
conjugal  misfortunes  which  a  man  with  any  preten- 
sions to  breeding  would  now  think  of  proclaiming 
upon  the  housetops. 

A  Little  girl,  with  more  courage  than  many  of 
her  elders,  came  every  morning  to  assist  Lodoi'ska 
in  the  household  affairs  and  to  purchase  provisions, 
though  the  latter  was  obliged  to  go  too,  as  this  was 
the  only  means  of  procuring  a  portion  for  two. 
Louvet,  of  course,  was  never  easy  so  long  as  she  was 
out  of  his  sight ;  but  when  once  she  returned,  it 
was  for  the  whole  day.  He  himself  laid  the  cloth, 
and  in  spite  of  his  weak  sight,  did  the  carving,  for  he 
had  reason  to  think  that  if  he  left  it  to  her,  she  would 
give  him  the  whole  of  the  meat,  fearing  that  he  had 
not  enough.  After  dinner,  Lodoi'ska  read,  played 
the  piano  and  sang  to  him  ;  and  then  the  pair  sat 
down  to  a  game  of  chess,  pleasantly  conversing  the 
while  in  low  voices.  Thus  the  days  passed  agreeably 
enough,  though  most  of  their  friends  had  apparently 
decided  to  forego  the  pleasure  of  visiting  them.  Yet 
they  talked  of  them  a  great  deal,  some  pitying  the 

317 


LOUVET 

fugitive,  because  he  had  not  sufficient  courage  to  put 
an  end  to  his  misery,  whilst  others  condemned 
Lodoi'ska  for  her  selfish  conduct  in  uselessly  exposing 
her  life  and  theirs  in  the  forlorn  attempt  to  save  her 
husband.  In  fact,  they  did  everything  (short  of 
actually  informing  against  him)  which  they  ought  to 
have  known  was  liable  to  cast  suspicion  on  the  outlaw 
and  his  wife.  "  From  such  friends,"  piously  ex- 
claims Lou  vet,  "  the  Lord  deliver  us  !  " 

One  man,  however,  who  ten  years  before  had  bene- 
fited by  the  Girondist's  generosity,  now  sought  him 
out  and  hastened  to  offer  his  services.  It  had  been 
quite  a  small  matter  which  had  earned  his  gratitude, 
but  generosity  consists  not  so  much  in  giving  largely 
as  in  giving  opportunely.  When  Louvet  had  been 
abandoned  by  all  the  members  of  his  own  family,  this 
man,  who  was  little  more  than  a  stranger,  readily 
hazarded  his  life  and  all  that  he  had  in  assisting  his 
benefactor  to  escape  from  Paris.  It  was,  indeed, 
urgent  that  he  should  leave  the  capital  with  the 
utmost  despatch.  The  circle  was  hourly  being  drawn 
closer  and  closer  around  him,  and  every  day  brought 
news  of  the  arrest  and  execution  or  suicide  of  one 
or  other  of  his  political  associates.  Fortunately, 
this  friend's  business  gave  him  special  facilities  for 
travelling  between  Paris  and  Switzerland,  and  before 
many  days  had  passed  he  and  Lodoi'ska  had  worked 
out  a  careful  plan  for  Lou  vet's  escape  to  the  Jura 
Mountains.  By  February  6th,  just  two  months  after 
his  return  to  Paris,  everything — disguise,  passport, 
conveyance — was  ready  for  his  flight. 

On  the  evening  of  the  last  day  Lodoi'ska  locked  her 


LOUVET 

husband  in  the  secret  chamber  and  went  out  to  make 
the  final  arrangements  for  his  journey.  During  her 
absence  he  occupied  the  time  in  writing  her  a  letter 
which  she  would  find  after  he  had  gone,  containing  his 
last  wishes  in  case  of  mishap.  It  is  an  affecting 
document,  bearing  eloquent  testimony  to  the  intense 
emotional  strain  of  the  last  few  hours.  An  attempt 
was  once  made  to  render  it  into  English,  but  that 
was  by  a  Scotchman  in  1795,  and  the  result  is  not 
encouraging.  Much  of  Louvet's  prose,  as  I  have 
said  before,  is  quite  untranslatable  ;  it  is  pitched  in 
a  key  to  which  our  language  is  ill  adapted,  and, 
generally  speaking,  his  pathos  in  an  English  dress 
must  be  pronounced  with  a  German  accent.  Yet 
the  coolest  among  us  can  imagine  what  this  parting 
must  have  cost  them.  If  all  went  well,  Lodoi'ska 
was  to  follow  her  husband  in  six  weeks'  time. 

It  was  at  daybreak,  on  February  7th,  that  Louvet 
again  set  out  on  his  travels.  Lodoi'ska  accompanied 
him  across  Paris  ;  but  at  the  end  of  the  Rue  Charen- 
ton,  he  left  her  in  the  carriage  and  walked  briskly 
towards  the  barrier.  From  the  window  she  anxiously 
watched  his  retreating  figure.  She  caught  her 
breath  as  she  saw  him  airily  present  his  fabricated 
passport  for  the  inspection  of  the  sentry  who  stopped 
him,  and  breathed  again  only  when  he  was  allowed 
to  pass  on  his  way.  When  he  was  out  of  sight,  she 
motioned  to  the  coachman  to  drive  home. 

At  Charenton,  Louvet  found  his  friend  waiting  for 
him,  and  they  at  once  proceeded  on  foot  to  Ville- 
neuve  St.  George.  Here  their  papers  were  cursorily 

319 


examined  by  an  officer  of  the  guard,  who  was  easily 
deceived  by  the  military  disguise  of  the  two  travellers. 
Louvet  is  sure  that  he  looked  every  inch  a  defender 
of  his  country.  He  wore  a  short,  black  woollen 
jacket,  with  trousers  to  match,  a  tricoloured  waist- 
coat, and  a  wig  of  straight,  black  hair,  much 
affected  by  the  ultra- Jacobins  of  the  period,  sur- 
mounted by  a  red  liberty  cap  of  the  approved  style. 
Added  to  this,  he  carried  an  enormous  sabre ;  and  a 
ferocious  moustache,  which  he  had  sedulously  culti- 
vated during  his  enforced  retirement,  afforded  con- 
vincing evidence  of  its  bearer's  ardent  patriotism. 

Twenty  miles  from  the  capital  they  joined  the 
stage  coach  plying  between  Paris  and  D61.  The  next 
day  all  the  passengers  were  taken  to  the  Municipality 
to  have  their  papers  attested  by  an  officer  of  the 
local  committee  of  surveillance.  Louvet  handed 
him  his  passport.  The  officer  read  it  attentively, 
looked  steadfastly  at  its  owner,  held  it  back,  and 
asked  for  those  of  his  companions.  After  care- 
fully examining  them  one  by  one  he  returned  them, 
but  still  retained  Louvet's. 

"  Wait  a  moment,"  he  said,  when  the  latter  held 
out  his  hand  for  it. 

The  outlaw  began  to  grow  uneasy.  At  length,  all 
his  fellow-passengers  were  dismissed  and  he  remained 
alone  with  the  inspector. 

"  You  are  going  to  rejoin  your  regiment  ?  " 

"  Not  at  all ;  you  have  read  my  passport  carefully 
enough  ;  I  am  going  on  business." 

"  Ah,  yes,  on  business." 

"  Yes  ;  give  it  me,  then !  " 
320 


LOUVET 

"  You  seem  to  be  in  a  great  hurry,"  said  the  in- 
spector, drawing  back  his  hand. 

"  Which  is  more  than  you  are,"  retorted  Louvet. 
"  Don't  you  see  that  all  the  other  passengers  have 
left,  and  that  I  shall  miss  the  coach  if  you  detain  me 
any  longer  ?  " 

"  But  haven't  you  anything  to  say  to  me  ?  " 

"  No,"  replied  Louvet  bluntly,  in  the  style  of  the 
day  and  of  hi§  dress. 

"  Well,  I  have  something  to  say  to  you,  anyway." 

"  Sacrebleu !  then  say  it  and  have  done  with 
it!" 

"  I  have  to  tell  you,"  said  he,  grasping  one  of  the 
outlaw's  hands  and  thrusting  the  passport  into  the 
other,  "  that  I  wish  you  a  safe  journey  with  all  my 
heart." 

"  Good-bye  !  good-bye  !  "  cried  Louvet,  as  he  ran 
towards  the  coach.  He  never  succeeded  in  identify- 
ing his  unknown  friend. 

The  fugitive  reached  the  Jura  Mountains  without 
accident,  and  his  companion  hastened  back  to  Paris 
to  tell  the  good  news  to  Lodoi'ska. 

Whilst  he  was  alone  the  Girondist  made  it  a  point 
of  honour  not  to  leave  French  soil.  During  the  first 
weeks  of  his  exile,  therefore,  he  lived  in  a  cavern 
within  easy  reach  of  neutral  territory.  Here  he 
began  to  re-write  the  memoirs  which  he  had  begun 
whilst  with  Mme.  Bouquey.  He  suffered  horribly 
from  nostalgia,  a  complaint  to  which  Frenchmen  are 
peculiarly  susceptible  ;  and,  of  course,  he  was  utterly 
miserable  separated  from  Lodoi'ska.  To  cool  his  head 

321  2i 


LOUVET 

he  plunged  into  the  primeval  forests  of  ancient  Hel- 
vetia, wandered  by  the  side  of  yawning  chasms,  hung 
fascinated  over  seething  cataracts,  and  moralized  and 
gushed  about  St.  Preux  and  Julie.  He  made  the 
rocks  echo  with  the  name  of  his  beloved,  carved  her 
initials  on  the  bark  of  a  thousand  trees,  and,  in  fact, 
made  such  a  fool  of  himself,  that  it  is  quite  impossible 
to  doubt  the  sincerity  of  his  passion. 

Meanwhile,  the  six  weeks  agreed  upon  passed  and 
she  did  not  come.  He  began  to  lose  hope.  The 
meagre  news  which  reached  him  from  Paris  was  not 
reassuring.  On  her  account  he  suffered  torments  of 
anxiety,  and  there  were  times  when  he  felt  convinced 
that  she  was  dead.  Then  his  imagination  played 
him  all  sorts  of  scurvy  tricks,  and  he  formed  mad 
schemes  of  vengeance.  He  would  take  a  fresh  dis- 
guise, return  to  Paris,  and  force  Robespierre  at  the 
point  of  the  pistol  to  sign  his  wife's  reprieve.  The 
insuperable  difficulties  of  the  project  alone  caused 
him  to  abandon  it.  Then  he  determined  to  write 
to  the  tyrant,  offering  to  give  himself  up  in  her 
stead ;  hoping  that  Lodoiska  would  consent  to  this 
plan  and  live  for  the  sake  of  the  child  she  was  soon 
to  bear  him.  The  letter  was  written,  though  never 
despatched,  for  something  happened  which  made  it 
unnecessary. 

One  day  (it  was  the  2ist  of  May,  1794)  a  fellow 
exile,  with  whom  he  had  recently  struck  up  friend- 
ship, took  him  by  a  mountain  path  to  a  spot  com- 
manding an  extensive  view  of  the  surrounding 
country.  On  the  way  Louvet  told  his  new  friend  of 
his  fears  for  his  wife's  safety  ;  he  was  in  a  despondent 

322 


LOUVET 

mood  which  spoilt  for  him  the  glorious  scenery 
stretched  at  his  feet. 

"  Why  do  you  meet  trouble  half-way  ?  "  said  his 
companion.  "  I'll  wager  you  will  see  your  wife  before 
long." 

"  Never,  citizen.  I  have  long  given  up  all  hope 
of  seeing  her  again." 

For  a  few  moments  the  other  silently  scanned  the 
surrounding  country.  Then  his  eyes  were  attracted 
by  a  small  object  in  the  far  distance  moving  in  their 
direction. 

"  It  is  a  cart,"  he  said  at  length.  "  There  are  only 
two  persons  in  it :  a  woman  and  the  driver.  Look  ! 
perhaps  it  is  your  wife  !  " 

"  For  God's  sake,  citizen,  don't  mock  me  with  vain 
hope  !  " 

Nevertheless,  he  looked,  and,  sure  enough,  he  saw 
a  woman  in  a  travelling  dress,  with  her  luggage  piled 
by  her  side.  He  turned  away  without  recognizing 
her,  for  love  is  blind,  and  Louvet  was  short-sighted. 
But  at  that  moment  his  ear  was  thrilled  with  the 
most  ravishing  sound,  which  he  likens  to  the  voices 
of  Milton's  heavenly  spirits.  It  was  addressed  to  the 
driver,  and  the  word  was  "  Stop !  "  Our  friend's 
sense  of  humour  was  intermittent.  But  the  next 
moment  he  held  Lodoi'ska  in  his  arms. 

Even  now  their  troubles  were  far  from  over.  The 
liberty-loving  Switzerland  of  their  dreams  was  a 
delusion  ;  that  country  was  divided  by  factions  almost 
as  violent  as  those  which  tore  their  native  land,  and 
here  they  were  subjected  to  all  sorts  of  petty  per- 

323  ai* 


LOUVET 

seditions.  Although  Lodoi'ska  was  expecting  almost 
at  any  moment  to  become  a  mother,  nobody  would 
receive  the  fugitives,  or  even  let  a  room  to  them.  For 
several  days  they  wandered  from  village  to  village 
without  finding  a  lodging.  At  last  they  found  a 
farmer  at  Saint  Barthelemy,  who  was  willing  to  let 
them  a  cottage  ;  but  before  he  could  do  so,  it  was 
necessary  to  obtain  the  consent  of  the  Commune. 
The  elders  accordingly  gathered  under  the  village 
oak  to  discuss  the  question.  They  refused  to  sanction 
the  transaction,  fearing  apparently  lest  the  child, 
when  born,  should  be  left  at  the  charge  of  the  Com- 
mune. Perhaps  they  had  been  bitten  before.  Who 
knows  ?  In  despair  Louvet  asked  permission  to 
speak.  This  was  granted.  Never  had  he  been  so 
eloquent,  says  Lodoi'ska,  who  told  the  story  to 
Riouffe.  Moved  to  tears  by  his  impassioned  words, 
the  wily  clodhoppers  straightway  reversed  their 
decision.  A  few  days  later  Lodoiska  presented  her 
husband  with  a  son. 
Then  came  news  of  Robespierre's  downfall. 


324 


CHAPTER  XXVII 

Louvet  returns  with  his  family  to  Paris — A  financial  crisis — He 
opens  a  bookseller's  shop — And  publishes  some  famous  books 
— A  visit  from  Wolfe  Tone — Social  successes  of  Louvet  and 
Lodoiska — Their  popularity — Louise  Fusil  describes  their  per- 
sonal appearance — They  dine  with  the  Talmas — Louvet  re- 
sumes his  seat  in  the  Convention — He  defends  the  Girondists' 
memory — Refuses  to  join  in  the  proscription  of  his  enemies — 
His  growing  influence — Speech  on  the  trial  of  the  extremists — 
Insurrection  of  the  i  Prairial — A  terrible  sitting — Murder  of  the 
deputy  Feraud — Lodoiska  again  saves  her  husband's  life — The 
end  of  the  Mountain — Louvet's  funeral  oration  on  Feraud — 
He  is  elected  President — Notre  Dame  de  Thermidor  gives  a 
fgte — Louvet's  toast — Reaction — Failing  health — Cowardly  attack 
on  Lodoiska — Louvet's  contempt  for  his  enemies — His  death 
— Lodoiska  poisons  herself,  but  recovers — Her  last  years — 
Louvet's  son,  grandson,  and  grand-daughter. 

OWING  chiefly  to  the  activity  of  piratical  pub- 
lishers   during    his    outlawry,    Louvet,    upon 
his  return,  found  himself  face  to  face  with  a  grave 
financial   crisis. 

In  a  note  appended  to  the  first  edition  of  his 
Memoires  he  bitterly  reproaches  the  men  who 
had  taken  advantage  of  his  misfortunes  to  rob 
him  of  almost  all  the  property  which  yet  re- 
mained to  him.  He  nevertheless  set  himself  ener- 
getically to  the  task  of  averting  the  threatened  ruin, 
and  the  journals  of  22  Pluviose  (loth  of  February, 
1795)  announced  his  intention  of  opening  a  book- 
seller's and  publisher's  establishment  at  Number  24, 
Galerie  Neuve,  in  the  Palais  itgalite  (Palais  Royal). 

325 


LOUVET 

Lodoiska  valiantly  assisted  him  in  the  enterprise,  and 
for  a  while  the  business  was  eminently  successful. 

During  the  first  year  he  published  quite  a  number 
of  famous  books,  including  his  own  Recit  de  mes 
perils,  the  Memoires  d'un  detenu,  by  Riouffe,  the 
companion  of  many  of  his  adventures,  and,  most 
important  of  all,  the  Appel  d  I' impartiale  posterite, 
the  forbidding  title  under  which  Mme.  Roland  chose 
to  hide  her  marvellous  memoirs.  The  last  work 
was  edited  by  her  old  friend  Bosc,  and  as  the  decree 
of  confiscation  still  deprived  Eudora  Roland  of  her 
parents'  property,  Louvet  generously  handed  over 
to  her  guardian  all  the  profits  on  the  publication, 
to  be  used  for  her  benefit.  The  appearance  of  his 
Recit  de  mes  perils  brought  many  customers,  whilst 
the  curious  flocked  to  the  shop  in  the  hope  of  catching 
a  glimpse  of  the  heroine  of  Louvet 's  romantic  narra- 
tive. Among  the  latter  was  Wolfe  Tone,  the  Irish 
patriot,  who  had  just  won  over  the  Government  to 
his  ill-fated  scheme  for  the  invasion  of  Ireland.  In 
his  autobiography  we  find  the  following  entry : 

"  Bought  the  Constitution  Frangaise  at  the  shop 
of  J.  B.  Louvet,  in  the  Palais  Royal,  and  received  it 
at  the  hands  of  his  wife,  so  celebrated  under  the 
name  of  Lodoiska.  I  like  her  countenance  very 
much.  She  is  not  handsome,  but  very  interesting. 
Louvet  is  one  of  those  who  escaped  the  3ist  of  May, 
and  after  a  long  concealment  and  a  thousand  perils, 
in  which  Lodoiska  conducted  herself  like  a  heroine, 
returned  on  the  fall  of  Robespierre,  whom  he  had 
been  the  first  to  denounce,  and  resumed  his  place 

326 


LOUVET 

in   the   Convention I   am  glad   I   have  seen 

Lodo'iska." 

But  the  curiosity  of  others  was  not  so  easily  satis- 
fied, and  the  romantic  pair  were  invited  everywhere, 
and  as  the  fame  of  their  adventures  spread,  became 
the  lions  of  the  season.  The  sprightly  Souvenirs 
d'une  actrice,  by  Louise  Fusil,  contain  an  interesting 
account  of  her  meeting  with  the  Deputy  and  his  wife : 

"  One  day,"    she  says,  "  when  Julie  Talma  and  I 
were  visiting  Mme.  de  Condorcet,  I  heard  Louvet's 
name  pronounced.     It  was  in  1794,  after  the  Terror, 
and  the  company  spoke  of  the  proscription  of  that 
Deputy,  and  a  work  on  the  subject  which  he  had  just 
published.     In  this  little  book  he  told  in  detail  how 
he  had  escaped  death  through  the  heroic  devotion 
of  a  woman,  whom  he  called  Lodoiska,  who  after- 
wards became  his  wife.     I  took  an  early  opportunity 
of  procuring  a  copy  of  the  brochure,  and  read  it  with 
keen   interest.     One  never   fails   to   trace   a  highly- 
coloured  mental  portrait  of  the  heroes  of  whom  one 
knows  the  history.     I  figured  Louvet  as  the  Chevalier 
de  Faublas  turned  politician  ;    I  imagined  that  the 
lightness  of  youth  had  been  replaced  by  the  nobler 
and   more   serious    bearing   of   manhood,    but    that 
beyond   this    there   was   no    change.      Above   all,    I 
imagined  that  Lodoiska  was  ever  beautiful  and  ever 
adored.     This  thought  enhanced  the  charm  of  the 
work  I  was  reading.     I  told  Julie  how  much  the  book 
interested  me,  and  remarked  how  delighted  I  should 
be  to  meet  M.  and  Mme.  Louvet. 

327 


LOUVET 

** '  Nothing  is  easier  !  '  said  she,  '  for  they  are  to 
dine  with  me  to-morrow,  and  I  intended  to  invite 
you.' 

"  I  accepted  with  alacrity,  and  arrived  early  at  her 
house,  so  great  was  my  impatience  to  see  my  hero 
and  heroine.  When  they  were  at  length  announced, 
the  mistress  of  the  house  rose  and  stepped  forward 
to  meet  them.  I  followed  her  almost  involuntarily  ; 
but  I  was  not  a  little  surprised  to  find  in  the  place  of 
the  handsome  Faublas  I  had  imagined  with  such 
complacency,  a  thin,  bilious  little  man,  of  awkward 
bearing,  and  in  the  shabbiest  attire.  And  the  beauti- 
ful Lodoiska  ! — ugly,  dark,  pitted  with  smallpox,  the 
most  common-looking  person  !  I  was  so  disenchanted 
that  I  could  not  believe  my  eyes. 

"  After  Julie  had  proffered  the  first  congratulations 
on  their  escape,  and  on  the  courage  and  devotion  of 
Mme.  Louvet,  she  introduced  me  to  this  charming 
couple. 

"  '  Here  is  one  of  my  friends,'  she  said,  '  who  had 
the  greatest  desire  to  see  you  ;  she  has  read  with 
avidity  the  narrative  of  your  perils,  and  scarcely 
breathed  until  she  knew  you  were  safe  !  ' 

"  Louvet  bowed  with  a  smile  which  was  as  much 
as  to  say,  '  Ah,  j^ou  thought  you  were  going  to  meet 
a  Faublas  !  ' 

"  I  fully  believe  he  had  read  the  astonishment 
on  my  face.  We  spoke  again  of  that  time  of  mis- 
fortune, and  of  the  ingenious  method  by  which 
Lodoiska  had  shielded  the  unhappy  prescript  from 
death,  and  the  conversation  ended  by  intensely 
interesting  me ;  for  Louvet  was  a  man  of  wit  and 

328 


LOUVET 

distinction,  and  his  wife,  in  spite  of  her  unprepossess- 
ing appearance,  was  a  remarkable  woman.  It  was 
her  husband's  indiscretion  to  make  her  a  heroine  of 
romance  and  to  paint  her  in  such  seductive  colours 
in  his  Faublas ;  if  he  had  plainly  called  her  Mme. 
Louvet  he  would  have  rendered  her  only  the  more 
interesting,  and  wou]d  have  spared  her  the  ridicule 
which  she  had  not  provoked." 

The  good  Fusil  does  not  mince  matters.  "  Ugly  " 
is  an  imprudent  word  for  one  woman  to  use  of  another 
unless  she  is  very  sure  of  her  own  personal  attrac- 
tions, and,  even  then,  it  is  scarcely  kind.  We  know, 
however,  that  the  actress  was  a  great  beauty,  so  that 
her  testimony,  in  this  respect,  is  above  suspicion. 
But  to  confess  that  the  undistinguished  appearance 
of  Louvet  and  his  wife  spoilt  the  romance  for  her  is 
to  betray  a  deplorable  superficiality  of  judgment. 
To  many,  it  is  this  fact  which  gives  their  story  its 
distinction,  and  makes  it  so  adorably  human.  There 
are  so  many  handsome  heroines  that  we  hail  an  ugly 
one  as  a  positive  relief.  And,  after  all,  there  is  not 
much  merit  in  romancing  about  a  beautiful  woman, 
the  first  fool  who  comes  along  will  do  that ;  but  it 
requires  the  soul  of  an  artist  to  divine,  as  Louvet 
did,  the  more  rare  and  subtler  beauty  which  so  often 
lies  obscured  by  obvious  defects  of  form  and  feature. 

"  I  knew  Lodoiiska,"  said  M.  Barriere  in  the  intro- 
duction to  his  edition  of  Louvet's  memoirs ;  "  she 
was  no  longer  young  then,  but  her  features  were  still 
regular.  Her  bearing  was  at  once  simple  and  noble. 

329 


LOUVET 

In  the  habitual  calm  of  her  countenance  it  was  easy 
to  divine  an  exalted  soul  and  a  strong  will." 

His  words  do  not  necessarily  invalidate  Louise 
Fusil's  testimony  as  to  Lodoiska's  ugliness,  for  women 
do  not  always  fulfil  the  promise  of  their  youth. 

The  truth  of  her  impression  of  Louvet 's  personal 
appearance  is  fully  corroborated  by  Mme.  Roland  : 

"  Louvet  is  an  unhealthy-looking  little  man,  weakly, 
short-sighted  and  slovenly.  He  seems  a  mere  nobody 
to  most  people,  who  do  not  observe  the  dignity  of  his 
brow,  and  the  fire  which  animates  his  eyes  at  the  ex- 
pression of  any  fine  thought.  Everyone  is  acquainted 
with  his  pretty  novels,  but  politics  owe  more  im- 
portant obligations  to  him.  It  is  impossible  to  have 
more  wit,  less  affectation,  and  more  simplicity  than 
Louvet.  Courageous  as  a  lion,  simple  as  a  child,  a 
man  of  heart,  a  good  citizen,  a  vigorous  writer,  in  the 
tribune  he  can  make  Catiline  tremble,  he  can  dine 
with  the  Graces,  and  sup  with  Bachaumont." 

Although  the  Convention  had  abrogated  the  decree 
of  outlawry  against  the  Girondists  on  December  7th, 
1794,  it  was  not  until  March  8th  of  the  following 
year  that  Louvet  and  his  surviving  political  associates 
were  allowed  to  resume  their  seats  in  the  Assembly. 
Three  days  later,  Louvet  moved  "  That  the  Girondist 
Deputies  who  had  taken  up  arms  in  Normandy  after 
May  3ist  had  deserved  well  of  their  country."  The 
Convention  naturally  passed  to  the  order  of  the  day. 
It  could  not,  indeed,  do  otherwise,  without  com- 

330 


LOUVET 

pletely  disavowing  its  past.  But  Lou  vet  felt  that 
he  owed  this  tribute  to  the  memory  of  his  friends  ; 
and,  as  a  secondary  consideration,  it  afforded  him 
the  opportunity  of  telling  all  whom  it  might  concern 
that  though  the  times  had  changed,  his  principles 
had  not  changed  ;  and  when  he  saw  Isnard,  Lesage, 
Larivi£re,  and  other  survivors  of  the  Gironde,  in 
their  hatred  of  the  Mountain,  incline  more  and  more 
towards  Royalism,  he  did  not  hesitate  to  break  with 
them.  "  Neither  the  horrors  of  that  sanguinary 
regime,"  says  Mallet  du  Pan,  writing  of  the  Girondists' 
implacability,  "  nor  the  oppression  under  which 
they  groaned  during  the  dictatorship  of  the  Com- 
mittee of  Public  Safety ;  neither  their  misfortunes, 
nor  the  death  of  so  many  of  their  number  upon  the 
scaffold ;  neither  experience  nor  reason,  the  duty 
of  closing  the  bleeding  wounds  of  their  country  and 
of  giving  her  peace,  had  touched  these  theorists. 
They  would  sooner  see  the  universe  in  ashes  than 
abandon  their  design  of  submitting  it  to  their 
doctrines." 

There  is  little  doubt  of  the  general  truth  of  the 
indictment.  "  There  are  few  people,"  says  Rivarol 
somewhere,  "  who  will  sacrifice  their  rhetoric  to 
their  country,  and  who,  having  a  talent  for  speak- 
ing, have  the  humanity  to  hold  their  tongues."  It 
is  to  Louvet's  lasting  honour  that  he  was  one  of  these. 
Almost  alone  among  the  surviving  Girondists,  he  re- 
fused to  resume  the  quarrel.  He  felt  that  it  was  time 
to  put  the  phantoms  of  history  behind  him  ;  and  he, 
at  all  events,  was  content  to  leave  the  dead  to  bury 
their  dead. 

331 


LOUVET 

One  gathers  that  his  sufferings,  no  less  than  the 
constant  and  exalted  affection  which  had  for  long 
ruled  his  life,  had  at  once  ennobled  and  mellowed 
his  character,  and  saved  him  from  the  bitter  and 
revengeful  thoughts  which  too  often  controlled  the 
actions  of  his  former  colleagues.  Again  and  again 
his  voice  was  raised  urging  the  claims  of  pity  and 
justice,  and  he  set  the  fine  example  of  an  outlaw 
who,  in  the  hour  of  victory,  refused  to  join  in  the 
persecution  of  the  authors  of  his  proscription. 

His  oratory,  too,  in  this  second  phase  of  his  political 
career,  strikes  a  graver  and  a  deeper  note ;  it  is 
informed  by  a  wide  and  tolerant  humanity  which 
is  absent  from  his  former  discourses.  These  qualities 
soon  made  themselves  felt,  and  Louvet's  influence  in 
the  Convention  grew  daily.  But  though  he  rejected 
all  idea  of  personal  vengeance,  he  pressed  for  the 
punishment  of  Carrier  and  the  representatives  on 
mission  who  had  bathed  the  country  in  blood.  His 
speech  on  the  trial  of  these  men  is  a  masterpiece  ; 
in  it  he  relates  some  of  the  most  revolting  atrocities 
of  which  Carrier  was  guilty  with  a  seeming  calmness 
and  indifference  which  recalls  the  deadly  irony  of 
Swift  at  his  best. 

On  the  4  Flor6al  (April  23rd),  he  was  appointed 
a  member  of  the  commission  charged  "  to  prepare 
the  organic  laws  of  the  Constitution,"  which  came 
into  force  three  months  later ;  and  on  the  13  Floreal 
(May  2nd,  1795),  in  a  superb  oration,  he  proposed  the 
restitution  of  the  possessions  of  all  who  had  been 
sentenced  by  the  Revolutionary  Tribunal.  The 
measure  was  violently  opposed,  not  only  by  the 

332 


LOUVET 

Mountain  as  a  reactionary  measure,  but  also  by  the 
Girondists,  who  desired  that  their  party  alone  should 
profit  by  any  such  act  of  clemency.  Whereupon 
Louvet  cried  : 

"  I  tell  you  that  nobody  was  tried  by  the  tribunals 
of  22  Prairial  or  by  those  of  May  3ist :  everybody  was 
assassinated  !  " 

He  never  lacked  courage,  but  thus  to  brave  the 
anger  of  friend  and  foe  alike  in  the  interests  of 
humanity  was  surely  one  of  the  most  courageous 
acts  of  his  life.  His  eloquence  snatched  victory  from 
his  opponents,  and  although  the  principle  of  confisca- 
tion was  maintained,  a  decree  was  passed  restoring 
the  goods  of  all  condemned  since  March  loth,  1793, 
except  those  of  coiners,  emigres  and  Bourbons. 

On  the  12  Germinal  (April  ist),  the  surviving 
leaders  of  the  Mountain,  acting  in  concert  with 
notorious  agitators  of  the  more  turbulent  Sections 
of  Paris,  made  an  attempt  to  overthrow  the  rule  of 
the  men  who  had  brought  about  the  downfall  of 
Robespierre,  and  were  generally  known  as  Ther- 
midorians.  But  there  was  such  bungling  in  the 
organization  of  the  rising  that  even  the  Minister  of 
Police  had  his  suspicion  aroused,  and  the  affair  proved 
a  dismal  failure.  So  discreditable  was  the  perform- 
ance, indeed,  that  the  Convention  seems  to  have 
accepted  it  as  convincing  proof  of  the  degeneracy 
of  contemporary  conspirators,  and  treated  the  leaders 
with  mildness  and  contempt.  Mistaking  this  attitude 
for  pusillanimity,  the  rebels  planned  a  much  more 
serious  rising  to  take  place  on  the  i  Prairial 
(May  2oth).  The  ostensible  grounds  for  the  insur- 

333 


LOUVET 

rection  were  the  misery  caused  through  the  exorbitant 
price  of  bread,  the  prosecution  by  the  Convention  of 
the  chiefs  of  the  great  Committees  of  the  Terror,  and 
the  forcible  closing  of  the  Jacobin  Club  by  a  body 
of  young  Thermidorians,  the  personal  followers  of 
Fr6ron,  known  as  the  Jeunesse  doree. 

On  this  occasion  more  mystery  surrounded  the 
plans  of  the  conspirators  than  was  the  case  in  Ger- 
minal, and  the  insurrection  very  nearly  proved  suc- 
cessful. The  Convention  had  scarcely  assembled, 
when  a  crowd  of  yelling  and  ragged  men  and  women 
(many  of  whom  were  drunk),  led  by  former  members 
of  the  Revolutionary  army,  and  the  "  furies  of  the 
guillotine,"  surged  into  the  outer  courts  of  the  Tuileries 
demanding  admission  into  the  legislative  chamber. 
When  this  was  refused,  the  rioters  tore  down  the 
gates,  shouting  for  "  bread  and  the  Constitution  of 
I793  "  »  an(i  made  a  frantic  dash  for  the  entrance 
doors  of  the  Convention.  Here  they  were  opposed 
by  a  small  body  of  National  Guards,  with  fixed 
bayonets,  which,  from  mistaken  notions  of  humanity, 
they  refrained  from  using.  The  result  was  that  they 
were  forced  back  amid  a  shower  of  bullets,  and  the 
insurgents  burst  into  the  hall  of  the  Convention. 

The  President  put  on  his  hat — by  way  of  protest — 
what  else  could  he  do  ?  Every  other  President  had 
done  so  when  circumstances  proved  too  much  for 
him ;  why  should  not  he  ?  But  whether  he  was 
covered  or  uncovered,  the  rioters  meant  to  have  their 
will,  and  steadily  swept  forward  into  the  Chamber. 
At  this  moment  a  young  and  intrepid  Deputy  of 
Girondist  sympathies  named  Feraud,  who  had  recently 

334 


LOUVET 

returned  from  the  army  of  the  Rhine,  threw  himself 
before  his  colleagues,  and,  baring  his  breast  to  show 
the  scars  of  wounds  he  had  received  in  the  service 
of  his  country,  implored  the  intruders  to  with- 
draw. Unhappily,  the  rioters  mistook  him  for 
Freron,  and  threw  him  to  the  ground.  A  moment 
later,  his  head,  mounted  on  a  bayonet,  was  waved 
before  the  Deputies,  who  sat  in  their  accustomed 
places  calmly  awaiting  the  issue.  Their  conduct  in 
every  crisis  such  as  the  present  was  admirable. 

The  Revolutionary  leaders  of  all  parties  had  very 
little  to  learn  in  the  matter  of  contempt  for  death 
from  the  great  Romans  whom  they  sedulously  imi- 
tated. Boissy  d'Anglas,  the  President,  especially 
distinguished  himself  throughout  the  day.  Louvet 
afterwards  paid  eloquent  testimony  to  his  heroism, 
and  was  furnished  by  the  hero  himself  with  a  multi- 
tude of  details  which  had  unfortunately  escaped  his 
notice.  Self-consciousness  was  one  of  the  strongest 
characteristics  of  the  age.  But  is  a  man's  courage 
necessarily  any  the  less  because  he  feels  himself  to 
be  cutting  a  fine  figure  ?  To  say  that  the  hero  is 
the  man  who  lives  to  tell  the  tale  is  really  too 
cynical. 

But  to  return  to  our  muttons.  Boissy  d'Anglas 
certainly  did  bear  himself  with  remarkable  coolness 
on  the  i  Prairial.  In  spite  of  bayonets,  pikes  and 
pistols  levelled  at  him,  he  refused  to  be  intimidated, 
or  to  put  the  motions  desired  by  the  insurgents.  It 
was  not  until  he  was  utterly  spent  with  fatigue, 
after  occupying  the  chair  for  over  six  hours,  that  he 
resigned  the  presidency  to  Vernier.  The  rioters  took 

335 


LOUVET 

this  opportunity  of  compelling  the  Deputies  to  leave 
their  seats,  and  to  come  into  the  body  of  the  hall, 
where  they  were  at  once  surrounded  by  the  armed 
mob. 

The     new    President     was     now     forced     at     the 
point  of  the  bayonet  to  put  various  propositions  to 
the  vote,   and  these  were  at  once  declared    to    be 
carried.     At  this  point  Louvet  rushed  to  the  tribune 
in  order  to  protest  against  these  illegal  proceedings. 
He  had  scarcely  reached  it,  when  a  woman  was  seen 
forcing  her  way  through  the  howling  multitude.     By 
the   most   violent    exertions,    she   at   length   arrived 
breathless  opposite  the  orator  in  the  tribune.     If  he 
succeeded   in   making   himself   heard   there   is  little 
doubt  that  all  would  be  over  with  him,  and  his  head, 
like  that  of  Feraud,  would  be  paraded  through  the 
Assembly.     Yet  he  persisted  in  his  effort  to  address 
the  mob ;    whereupon    Lodoiska    (for   it   was   she), 
without  a  word,  drew  a  knife  from  her  bosom,  and 
fixing  her  eyes  upon  him,  pressed  the  point  against 
her   heart.     Louvet,    knowing    that    she    was    quite 
capable  of  carrying  out  her  implied  threat,  wisely 
held  his  tongue.     The  whole  incident  was  pure  melo- 
drama, of  course,  so  were  most  of  the  events  of  the 
Revolutionary  era  ;  but  melodrama  or  no  melodrama, 
her  action  probably  saved  her  husband's  life. 

Towards  midnight,  Kervelegan,  Bergoeing,  Che"nier, 
and  Raffet,  the  commander  of  the  National  Guard, 
arrived  with  a  strong  detachment  of  soldiers  and  a 
band  of  the  Jeunesse  dvree.  They  entered  the  hall 
with  fixed  bayonets,  and  after  a  brief  hand-to-hand 
fight,  succeeded  in  expelling  the  rioters,  and  arresting 

336 


LOUVET 

the  murderer  of  Fe'raud.  The  latter  was  led  forth- 
with to  the  guillotine ;  but  was  rescued  at  the  foot 
of  the  scaffold  by  a  band  of  armed  insurgents ; 
whereupon  the  troops  of  the  Convention  marched 
with  a  strong  detachment  of  artillery  into  the  Fau- 
bourg Saint-Antoine,  where  he  had  taken  refuge, 
and  threatened  to  bombard  the  Section  unless  he  were 
instantly  handed  over  to  them.  Intimidated  by  this 
threat,  the  insurgents  gave  up  the  fugitive,  who 
was  immediately  executed,  and  the  revolt  was  soon 
after  stamped  out. 

Tallien  and  the  triumphant  Thermidorians  made 
the  insurrection  an  excuse  for  issuing  wholesale  pro- 
scriptions against  the  surviving  members  of  the 
Mountain.  Billaud-Varennes,  Collot  d'Herbois,  and 
Barere  were  sentenced  to  deportation,  and  a  special 
military  commission  was  appointed  to  try  the  Deputies 
implicated  in  the  insurrection.  Although  Louvet 
joined  Fr6ron  and  Legendre  in  an  effort  to  save  the 
lives  of  these  representatives,  who  had  been  his 
deadly  enemies,  six  of  them,  namely,  Romme,  Goujon, 
Duquesnoi,  Duroi,  Bourbotte,  and  Soubrany,  were 
sentenced  to  death.  After  hearing  their  sentence  the 
condemned  men  attempted  to  commit  suicide  with 
a  knife,  which  they  passed  from  hand  to  hand.  The 
first  three  were  successful ;  the  others  were  dragged, 
still  bleeding  from  their  wounds,  to  the  scaffold. 

As  the  most  illustrious  survivor  of  the  Girondist 
proscription,  Louvet  was  selected  to  pronounce  the 
funeral  oration  on  the  murdered  Feraud.  A  special 
sitting  of  the  Convention  was  called  for  this  purpose 

337  22 


LOUVET 

on  the  14  Prairial  (June  2nd),  and  the  most 
elaborate  preparations  were  made  to  add  to  the 
solemnity  of  the  occasion.  All  the  representatives 
attended  in  full  costume,  each  wearing  a  crepe  band 
round  the  left  arm.  A  section  of  the  hall  was  set 
apart  for  the  municipal  officers  of  Paris,  and  the 
ambassadors  of  foreign  powers  sat  facing  the  President. 
The  walls  of  the  Convention  were  decorated  with  gar- 
lands and  festoons  of  oak-leaves,  and  a  black  funereal 
urn,  ornamented  with  golden  stars  and  patriotic 
inscriptions,  was  placed  on  each  side  of  the  President. 
The  spot  were  Feraud  died  was  marked  by  a  white 
marble  tomb,  surmounted  by  a  bust  of  Brutus  and 
the  arms,  uniform,  and  tricoloured  scarf  of  the 
murdered  Deputy.  A  large  orchestra  was  placed 
in  the  extreme  left  of  the  building.  Louvet  was 
greeted  with  loud  applause  as  he  ascended  the 
tribune. 

The  speech  is  our  chief  source  of  information  re- 
garding the  insurrection  of  the  i  Prairial,  and  is  a 
characteristic  example  of  the  rather  theatrical  style 
of  oratory  in  vogue  during  the  last  years  of  the  Re- 
public. Apart  from  its  historical  significance,  it  is 
chiefly  remarkable  as  an  eloquent  entreaty  to  all 
patriots  to  forget  their  mutual  enmities,  and  to  join 
hands  over  the  grave  of  Feraud.  Delivered  on  the 
second  anniversary  of  the  insurrection  against  the 
Girondists,  the  speech  afforded  an  excellent  oppor- 
tunity for  a  panegyric  of  his  dead  friends — an  oppor- 
tunity which  Louvet  was  not  the  man  to  neglect. 
The  passage  devoted  to  them  marks  his  highest 
oratorical  achievement. 

338 


LOUVET 

The  speech  added  greatly  to  his  prestige,  and  on 
the  i  Messidor  (June  iQth),  he  was  elected  President 
of  the  Convention.  In  that  capacity,  three  days 
later,  he  formally  replied  to  the  Dutch  Ambassadors, 
at  the  same  time  taking  the  opportunity  of  uttering  a 
proud  threat  against  England  ;  and  on  the  expiration 
of  his  term  of  office,  he  entered  the  Committee  of 
Public  Safety.  This  was  the  culmination  of  his 
political  career.  Soon  the  reaction  was  to  set  in,  but 
for  the  time  being  he  was  one  of  the  most  popular 
men  in  Paris.  His  wit  made  him  a  welcome  guest 
in  every  salon,  and  he  was  invited  everywhere — to 
the  Talmas',  Mme.  Tallien's  and  Mme.  de  StaeTs. 

On  the  anniversary  of  the  9  Thermidor  there 
were  great  doings.  The  whole  capital  gave  itself 
up  to  rejoicing.  A  fete  was  held  in  the  hall  of  the 
Convention  in  commemoration  of  the  fall  of 
Robespierre. 

All  the  representatives  attended  in  full  costume, 
and,  led  by  the  orchestra  of  the  National  Institute 
of  Music,  joined  lustily  in  the  choruses  of  Chenier's 
patriotic  hymns,  the  "  Hymn  to  Humanity,"  by 
Bauer-Lormian,  music  by  Gossec,  and  the  dithy- 
rambic  hymn  on  the  "  Conspiracy  of  Robespierre 
and  the  Revolution  of  Thermidor,"  words  by  Rouget 
de  Lisle,  etc.,  etc.  Then  somebody  called  for  "  the 
song  of  songs,"  and  the  Marseillaise  was  sung  kneeling, 
as  the  manner  then  was.  Larevelliere-Lepaux,  an 
able,  modest  little  hunchback,  a  future  Directeur, 
whose  ambition  soared  no  higher  than  the  founda- 
tion of  a  new  religion  which  he  called  Theophilan 

339 


LOUVET 

thropy,  now  rose  to  make  a  speech.*  And  a  very 
good  speech  it  was  too,  both  as  to  manner  and 
matter. 

The  Committee  of  Public  Safety,  he  said, 
had  some  news  for  the  Convention  which  would 
prove  to  the  friends  of  Terrorism  that  the  reign  of 
justice  had  also  its  triumphs.  It  will  be  our  glorious 
privilege,  citizens,  to  unite  in  singing  on  the  same 
day  the  songs  of  justice,  humanity,  and  victory.  The 
allusion  was  to  the  battle  of  Quiberon,  which  had 
just  been  won  by  Hoche,  seconded  by  Tallien,  who 
had  arrived  with  the  news  the  evening  before.  It 
was  a  great  day  for  Tallien,  and  he  was  overwhelmed 
with  congratulations. 

When  the  festivities  in  the  Convention  were  over, 
Mme.  Tallien,  Notre  Dame  de  Thermidor,  whose 
kind  heart  and  easy  virtue  when  she  was  Marquise 
de  Fontenay  had  been  the  means  of  saving  so  many 
from  the  guillotine,  presided  at  a  banquet  in  the 
character  of  Wisdom,  a  part  which  her  exquisite 
beauty  enabled  her  to  assume  for  a  brief  space  with 
unstudied  grace — she  made  no  pretension  to  sustain- 
ing the  role  for  long.  She  was  the  leader  of  the  smart 
set  of  her  day,  and  introduced  the  fashion  of  going 
clothed  in  little  but  her  modesty.  She  had  a  pretty 
foot  and  delighted  to  show  the  marks  of  the  rats 
which  had  bitten  her  when  in  prison.  But  she  could 
get  few  to  believe  her.  The  cynics  maintained  that 

*  It  is  said  he  once  complained  to  Talleyrand  that  although  his  religion 
was  far  better  than  the  old,  he  could  not  induce  people  to  accept  it. 
What  should  he  do  ?  "  Get  yourself  crucified,  and  rise  again  the  third 
day,"  was  the  sagacious  reply. 

340 


From  an  engraving  by  J.  C.  Armytage,  after  a  painting  by  J.  Masquerier. 

MADAME  TALLIEN. 


[To  face  page  340. 


LOUVET 

the  rings  she  wore  on  her  toes  were  the  cause  of  these 
wounds,  and  some  wrote  verses  on  the  subject : 

"  La  Tallien,  secouant  sa  tunique, 
Faisait  de  ses  pieds  nus  craquer  les  anneaux  d'or." 

Everybody  who  was  anybody  was  present  at  the 
f&te.  Lanjuinais  proposed  the  first  toast  in  these 
words  : 

"  To  the  9  Thermidor,  and  the  representatives 
who,  on  that  memorable  day,  struck  down  the  tyrant, 
and  have  since  overthrown  tyranny.  May  the  affec- 
tion of  their  colleagues  and  the  love  of  all  Frenchmen 
be  the  reward  of  their  patriotism  and  devotion." 

Tallien  himself  moved  the  second  : 

"  To  the  Deputies  outlawed  under  the  tyranny  of 
the  late  Government,  to  the  Seventy-Three,  and 
the  other  victims  of  the  Terror,  and  to  all  those  who 
during  that  disastrous  time  remained  faithful  to  the 
laws,  to  love,  and  to  liberty." 

"  And  to  their  intimate  union  with  the  men  of  the 
9  Thermidor,"  added  Louvet,  rising  and  holding  up 
his  glass. 

The  toast : 

"  To  Tallien,  Hoche,  and  the  victors  of  Quiberon  !  " 
was  received  with  wild  enthusiasm. 

But  the  toast-list  was  long  and  the  flesh  is  weak, 
and  the  guests  had  lately  been  deadly  enemies.  Some 
were  just  drunk  enough  to  be  argumentative,  and  had 
it  not  been  for  the  tact  of  the  heroine  of  the  fete,  the 
fraternal  banquet  would  probably  have  ended  in  a 
free  fight. 

"  I  had  gathered  together,"  she  says  in  one  of  her 
34i 


LOUVET 

letters,  "  all  the  Deputies  of  repute,  even  the  most 
fanatical,  of  every  party  ;  but  seeing  by  the  toasts 
proposed  that  they  were  likely  to  end  by  throwing 
the  plates  at  each  other's  heads,  I  rose  ;  and  with  a 
calmness  which  imposed  on  the  noisy  assembly,  lifted 
my  glass  with  these  words  : 

"  To  the  forgiveness  of  all  errors,  to  the  pardon  of 
all  injuries,  and  to  the  reconciliation  of  all  French- 
men !  " 

Whereupon  the  guests  embraced  each  other,  and 
enthusiastically  drank  to  the  health  of  Notre  Dame 
de  Thermidor. 

But  Tallien's  popularity  soon  began  to  wane,  and 
Louvet,  too,  suffered  from  the  reaction  against  the 
Thermidorians  which  now  set  in.  During  his  Presi- 
dency he  had  revived  his  placard-journal  La  Senti- 
nette,  in  which  he  consistently  preached  concord  as 
the  first  duty  of  all  Republicans.  But  almost  as  soon 
as  the  Directory  was  established,  the  paper  brought 
him  into  conflict  with  Carnot,  and  had  it  not  been  for 
the  friendly  offices  of  Barras,  there  is  little  doubt 
that  imprisonment  or  worse  would  have  befallen 
him.  He  now  became  the  object  of  the  most  in- 
famous libels  on  the  part  of  the  Royalist  papers,  and 
the  enmity  of  Carnot  made  it  impossible  for  him  to 
get  redress.  Most  of  these  attacks  will  not  bear 
reprinting,  and  few  are  as  harmless  as  the  one  in 
which  an  ingenious  trifler  dissected  the  word 
revolutionnaire  and  found  :  "  Louvet  et  Tallien  ont 
mine  le  rentier,  vole  la  nation,  avili  la  Revolution, 
vio!6  la  loi ;  en  vain  leur  ire  veut  nuire  a  la  vertu,  la 
v6rit6  luit,  la  roue  vient." 

342 


LOUVET 

Elected  to  the  Council  of  Five  Hundred  by  the  De- 
partment of  Haute- Vienne,  he  fought  with  all  his 
strength  against  the  tide  of  Royalism  which  was 
fast  carrying  all  before  it.  But  his  health,  under- 
mined by  his  sufferings,  was  already  beginning  to  fail, 
and  he  almost  welcomed  his  exclusion  from  the  Council 
on  the  partial  renewing  of  that  body  in  May,  1797. 

Meanwhile  the  Royalist  journals  continued  to 
drag  him  daily  through  the  mire,  and  when  by  way 
of  retaliation  he  accused  Isidore  Langlois,  the  editor 
of  the  Messager  du  Roi,  and  a  notorious  renegade 
from  the  Republicans,  of  being  "  one  of  the  authors 
of  the  assassinations  of  the  13  Vende"miaire,  Year  IV., 
a  counter-revolutionist,  covered  from  head  to  foot 
with  innocent  blood,"  he  was  judged  guilty  of  libel, 
and  condemned  to  pay  five  hundred  livres  damages 
with  costs.  Emboldened  by  this  judgment,  the 
Gilded  Youth  marched  in  a  body  to  the  orator's  shop, 
and  offered  the  most  brutal  insults  to  Lodo'iska. 
She  retired  to  the  back  of  the  shop,  followed  by  cries 
of  "  A  bas  la  belle  Lodo'iska  \  "  and  snatches  from 
the  Rfoeil  du  Peuple,  whilst  Lou  vet,  who  on  the 
first  alarm  had  flown  to  her  protection,  paced  to  and 
fro  before  his  door,  casting  furious  glances  at  the 
jeering  crowd.  When  the  assailants  saw  that  their 
prey  had  escaped  them,  they  turned  upon  her 
husband. 

"  Well,  sing  the  Marseillaise  !  "  yelled  one  of  them 
derisively. 

Whereupon    he    instantly    threw    open    the    door 
and  replied  with  infinite  contempt : 

"  Que  veut  cette  horde  d'esclaves  ?  " 
343 


LOUVET 

For  a  moment  the  demonstrants  were  silenced 
by  this  stinging  retort,  but  quickly  recovering  them- 
selves, they  were  about  to  rush  on  their  victim  when 
he  was  rescued  by  Raffet,  the  Commander  of  the 
National  Guard,  with  a  strong  patrol  which  had  been 
summoned  by  the  neighbours.  The  mob  was  at 
length  induced  to  disperse.  But  scenes  of  this  kind 
were  repeated  almost  daily,  and  Louvet  was  at  last 
compelled  to  remove  his  establishment  to  the  Rue 
Crenelle-Germain,  opposite  the  Rue  de  Bourgogne, 
formerly  the  Hotel  de  Sens. 

Utterly  broken  in  health,  dispirited  and  disillu- 
sioned, Louvet  had  now,  at  the  age  of  thirty-seven, 
the  appearance  of  an  old  man.  As  he  reflected  on  all 
the  sacrifices  he  had  made  for  the  liberation  of  his 
country  and  the  welfare  of  his  fellow-citizens,  he  must 
often  have  asked  himself  bitterly  whether,  after  all, 
he  had  not  foolishly  thrown  his  life  away.  He  must 
have  asked  himself  whether  Mme.  Roland  and 
Vergniaud,  Guadet  and  Barbaroux,  and  his  other 
trusty  comrades  in  the  fight,  had  died  in  vain.  The 
principles  for  which  he  had  lived  and  fought,  and 
from  which  he  had  never  wavered,  were  now  openly 
disavowed  even  by  his  surviving  colleagues  who 
had  suffered  for  them.  So  far  as  he  could  see,  his 
whole  life  work  had  ended  in  smoke.  He  felt  himself 
to  be  desperately  ill,  he  needed  rest,  but  instead  of 
leaving  him  in  peace  his  enemies  ridiculed  and  libelled 
Lodoiska.  That  was  the  last  straw.  Towards  the 
end  of  August,  1797,  the  Government,  on  the  recom- 
mendation of  Barras.  appointed  him  consul  at  Palermo  ; 
but  it  was  already  too  late. 

344 


LOUVET 

The  end  came  suddenly.  At  one  o'clock  in  the 
morning  of  August  25th,  Lodoiska  and  a  trusted 
friend,  who  was  acting  as  nurse,  had  just  prepared 
a  cooling  drink  for  the  sick  man,  and  the  latter  was 
about  to  hold  it  to  his  lips,  when  she  noticed  that  he 
had  ceased  to  breathe.  She  called  Lodoiska,  who,  as 
she  approached  the  bed-side,  said  quite  calmly : 

"  He  is  dead.  Do  me  the  favour  of  calling  M. 
Lamarque." 

Whilst  her  friend  was  present  she  had  by  a  supreme 
effort  of  will  suppressed  all  signs  of  emotion.  She 
wanted  to  gain  time,  for  she  had  long  ago  made  up 
her  mind  what  she  would  do  when  this  dreaded 
moment  arrived.  It  was  not  until  she  was  alone 
with  the  dead  body  of  the  man  she  had  loved  all  her 
life  that  she  gave  way  to  despair. 

When  her  friend  returned  with  Lamarque,  she 
calmly  told  them  that  she  had  swallowed  the  opium 
which  she  always  carried  on  her  person.  Lamarque 
threw  himself  at  her  knees  and  implored  her  to  let 
him  fetch  a  doctor ;  but  to  all  his  pleading  she 
answered  that  since  her  husband  was  dead  life  was 
insupportable  to  her. 

She  then  handed  a  sum  of  money  to  her  friend, 
begging  her  to  act  the  part  of  a  mother  to  her 
boy.  She  said  they  could  live  with  her  relatives, 
where  they  would  be  quite  comfortable,  and  as  he 
would  inherit  the  whole  of  his  parents'  fortune,  his 
future  was  well  provided  for.  All  this  she  said  in  a 
low,  even  voice  without  faltering ;  and  nothing  the 
others  could  say  succeeded  in  shaking  her  resolution. 
Then  Lamarque  had  a  happy  thought.  Quietly 

345 


LOUVET 

leaving  the  room,  he  returned  a  few  moments  later 
bearing  her  child  in  his  arms. 

"  Since  you  refuse  to  live  for  yourself  or  for  us," 
he  said,  "  live  at  least  for  our  little  friend  here.  Is 
he  not  already  unhappy  enough  to  have  lost  such  a 
father  ?  Do  not  empoison  his  first  years  by  depriving 
him  also  of  a  loving  mother's  care." 

When  Lodoiska  felt  the  baby  hands  clinging  to  her, 
and  saw  the  frightened  little  face  pressed  against  her 
bosom,  she  suddenly  burst  into  tears,  and  Lamarque, 
knowing  that  he  had  attained  his  object,  rushed  off 
for  the  doctor.  For  two  days  her  life  hung  by  a 
thread,  but  then  she  took  a  turn  for  the  better  and 
ultimately  recovered. 

For  some  years  after  her  husband's  death  Lodoiska 
managed  the  business  with  conspicuous  ability  and 
success.  Nobody  was  better  informed  as  to  all 
that  was  known  of  the  martyred  Girondists,  and  she 
kept  up  a  regular  correspondence  with  their  sur- 
viving relatives.  It  was  owing  to  her  indefatigable 
zeal,  seconded  by  the  efforts  of  the  Rolands'  friend 
Bosc,  that  the  manuscripts  of  the  memoirs  left  by 
the  fugitive  Deputies  at  Saint-Emilion  were  at  length 
discovered.  Writing  in  1865,  M.  de  Lecure  states 
that  he  recently  had  the  privilege  of  reading  several 
letters  of  Madame  Louvet's,  which  proved  her  to 
have  been  a  woman  of  noble  heart  and  brilliant  wit. 
The  last  of  these  letters  bore  the  date  1814,  and  was 
addressed  to  her  dearest  friend,  Mile.  Mestais  of 
Nemours.  On  her  death  she  was  buried  by  her 
husband's  side  on  the  small  family  estate  of  Chancy, 

346 


LOUVET 

in  the  commune  of  Prenoy  (Loiret)  ;  and  when  in 
1847,  the  estate  passed  out  of  the  hands  of  the  Lou  vets, 
the  two  bodies  were  removed  to  the  cemetery  of 
Montargis.  A  plain  marble  slab,  inscribed  simply 
with  their  names,  marks  the  last  resting-place  of 
Louvet  and  his  faithful  Lodoiska. 

On  reaching  manhood,  Louvet's  son  lived  in  strict 
retirement  at  Montargis  in  the  Department  of  Loiret, 
the  constituency  which  had  returned  his  father  to 
the  Convention.  Little  is  known  of  his  career. 
Towards  the  end  of  his  life  he  wrote  a  long  and  elo- 
quent letter  in  a  democratic  journal  complaining  of 
the  mysterious  and  persistent  abusive  persecution 
to  which,  on  account  of  the  name  he  bore,  he  had  for 
many  years  been  subjected.  His  sudden  death  in 
1846  was  the  subject  of  a  judicial  inquiry.  He  left 
a  daughter,  who  married  M.  Le  Grand,  Chief  Road 
Surveyor  of  the  Department  of  Indre.  In  1854,  h*5 
son,  M.  A.  Louvet  de  Couvray,  published  a  book 
entitled  Histoire  du  Principe  d'autorite  depuis  Moise 
jusqu'd  nos  jours,  followed  eleven  years  later  by  a 
fifty-paged  pamphlet,  Les  Homines  Providentiels — 
dreary  works  both.  For  the  sake  of  the  name  on 
the  title-page,  I  made  a  conscientious  effort  to  read 
the  first  book,  but  life  is  short,  and  (I  confess  it  in  all 
humility)  I  did  not  get  beyond  the  Pentateuch. 
But  even  from  this  I  gathered  that  Louvet's  grandson 
was  a  man  of  wide  reading  and  some  originality  of 
thought. 

A  solitary  anecdote,  quoted  in  the  introduction, 
relating  to  an  atheist  moralist  of  the  author's 
acquaintance,  and  his  endeavour  to  regulate  the 

347 


LOUVET 

transient  attachments  of  his  pet  dogs,  shows  that  he 
had  inherited  Louvet's  sense  of  humour  and  something 
of  his  talent  for  periphrasis.  The  style  of  both  works 
is  correct  and,  indeed,  not  without  distinction  ;  but 
it  is  a  far  cry  from  Faublas.  The  British  Museum 
copy  of  the  Htstoire  du  Principe  d'autorite,  acquired 
in  1862,  had,  until  a  few  days  ago,  never  been  opened. 
Need  I  say  more  ? 


THE  END 


348 


BIBLIOGRAPHY 


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French  Revolution,  Carlyle,  Lacretelle  and  Rabaut  Saint- 
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Quinet,  Redhead,  Morse  Stephens,  Taine,  Thiers,  de 
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BEFORE  THE  REVOLUTION 

Montesquieu  (C.  de  Secondat  de,)  (Buvres. 

Voltaire  (F.  Arouet  de,)  OEuvres. 

Rousseau  (J.  J.)  CEuvres. 

Beaumarchais  (P.  A.  Caron  de,)  CEuvres. 

Bachaumont  (F.  le  C.  de,)  Memoires. 

Louvet  de  Couvrai   (J.   B.)    La  vie  et    les  amours    du 

Chevalier  de  Faublas. 

[Laclos  (Choderlos  de,)]  Liaisons  dangereuses. 
Cre"billon  (C.  P.  Jolyot  de)  fils,  CEuvres. 
pDulaurens  (H.  J.)]  Compare  Matthieu. 
Mercier  (L.  S.)  Tableau  de  Paris.     1781-1788. 
Brissot  (J.  P.)  Memoires ;     publics  pax  son  fils.     4  vols. 

1830. 

Lomenie  (L.  de,)  Les  Mirabeau.     2  vols.     1879. 
[Senac  de  Meilhan  (G.)]    Du  gouvernement,  des  moeurs 

et  des  conditions  en  France  avant  la  Revolution.     1795. 
Roland  de  la  Platiere  (Mme.  M.  J.)  M6moires  particuliers. 

1795.     Louvet. 

Young  (A.)  Travels  in  France.     1789. 
Paine  (T.)  Rights  of  Man. 

349 


LOUVET 

Morley  (J.  Lord,)  Voltaire. 

Rousseau. 

Diderot  and  the  Encyclopaedists.     2  vols. 

Lucas  de  Montigny,  Memoires  de  Mirabeau.    8  vols.    1849. 

TO  THE  FALL  OF  THE  GIRONDISTS 

Louvet  (J.  B.)  Paris  justified  contre  M.  Mounier.     1789. 

Quelques  notices  pour  1'histoire,  et  le  recit  de 

mes  perils  depuis  le  31  Mai,  1793.     1795. 

Memoires  de  Louvet  de  Couvrai  sur  la  Revolu- 

tion frangaise.  Premiere  6dition  complete, 
avec  preface,  notes,  et  table  par  F.  A.  Aulard. 
2  vols.  1889. 

Another  edition.     Publies  par  Berville  et  Barriere. 

1846. 

An  account  of  the  dangers  to  which  I  have 

been  exposed,  since  3ist  of  May,  1793.  1795. 
Perth. 

Petition  individuelle  des  citoyens  de  la  Section 

des  Lombards,  prononc6e  a  la  barre  de 
1'Assemblee  Nationale,  le  25  Decembre,  1791. 
Par  J.  B.  Louvet  de  Couvraye.  1791. 

Soci6te  des  Amis  de  la  Constitution,  s£ante  aux 

Jacobins.  .  .  .  Discours  .  .  .  sur  la  guerre ; 
prononce  .  .  .  le  9  Janvier,  1792.  [1792.] 

Second  discours  .  .  .  sur  la  guerre  en  reponse  £ 

celui  de  Maximilien  Robespierre.     1792. 
La  Sentinelle.     1792-1793. 

Accusation  contre  M.  Robespierre.     1792. 

Reponse  de  M.   Robespierre  a  1'accusation  de 

J.  B.  Louvet.     1792. 

Emilie  de  Varmont,  ou  le  Divorce  n^cessaire, 

et  les  Amours  du  Cur6  Sevin ;  par  1'auteur 
de  Faublas.  1791. 

Opinion  de  J.  B.  Louvet  contre  la  defense  de 

Louis  Capet,  et  pour  1'appel  au  peuple.     1793. 

350 


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Lou  vet  (J.B.)  continued.  A  la  Convention  Nationale  et 
mes  commettans,  sur  la  conspiration  du  lo 
Mars  et  la  faction  d'Orleans.  1793. 

Fillette-Loreaux.     Lodoiska.     Opera    produced 

at  the  Theatre  Feydeau  on  July  i8th,  1791. 
Music  by  Cherubim.  (Founded  on  episode 
from  Faublas.) 

Dejaure.     Lodoiska.     Music   by   R.    Kreutzer ; 

produced  at  the  Theatre  des  Italiens,  August 
ist,  1791.  (Founded  on  episode  from 
Faublas. ) 

Kemble  (J.  P.)  Lodoiska.     Opera,  produced  at 

Drury  Lane,  1794.  1824.  (Founded  on  episode 
from  Faublas.} 

Roland  de  la  Platiere  (Mme.  M.  J.,)  Appel  a  1'impartiale 
postdate.  4  parts.  1795.  Louvet. 

(Euvres  completes;   publiees  par  L.  A.  Cham- 

pagneux.     3  vols.     1800. 

Dauban  (C.  A.)  Etude  sur  Madame  Roland  et  son  temps, 
suivie  des  lettres  de  Mme.  R.  a  Buzot,  et 
d'autres  documents  ine"dits.  1864. 

La  Demagogic  en  1793  a  Paris.     1868. 

Edr.,  Memoires  de  Petion,  de  Buzot,  et  de  Bar- 

baroux.     1866. 

Vatel  (C.)  Charlotte  de  Corday  et  les  Girondins.  4  vols. 
1864-1872. 

Recherches  sur  les  Girondins  :  Vergniaud.     1873. 

Herissay  (J.)  Un  Girondin  :  Frangois  Buzot.     1907. 
Moore  (J.)   Journal  during  a  residence  in  France,  August 

to  December,  1792.     2  vols.     1794. 

View  of  the  causes  and  progress  of  the   French 

Revolution.     2  vols.     1795. 
Marat  (J.  P.)  Ami  du  Peuple.      1792-1793. 

—  Placards  ;  publics  par  F.  Chevremont.     1877. 

—  Bax  (E.  B.,)  Jean  Paul  Marat.     1900. 
Hubert  (J.  R.)  Pere  Duchesne.     1793. 

351 


LOUVET 

Desmoulins  (Camille,)  Brissot  de"  masque*.     1793. 

Rivarol    (A.    de,)     M&noires ;       publics     par     Berville. 

1824. 

Guadet  (J.)  Les  Girondins.     2  vols.     1861. 
Lamartine  (A.  de,)  Histoire  des  Girondins.     8  vols.     1849. 
fDumouriez  (C.  F.)]  Vie  du  G6ne"ral  Dumouriez.      3  vols. 

1795- 

Aulard  (F.  A.)  Orateurs  de  la  Convention. 

Stephens  (H.  Morse,)  Principal  Speeches  of  the  Statesmen 

and  Orators  of  the  French  Revolution.     1892. 
Eire"   (E.)    Journal  d'un  bourgeois  de   Paris  pendant  la 

Terreur.     1884. 
Du  Bled  (V.)  Causeurs  de  la  Revolution.     1890. 

Orateurs  et  Tribuns.     1891. 

Dumont  (E.)  Souvenirs  sur  Mirabeau.     1832. 
Stael-Holstein  (Mine,  de,)  M6moires.     1818. 
Williams  (Helen  Maria,)  Letters.     1796. 

Mallet  (B.)  Mallet  du  Pan  and    the  French   Revolution. 

1902. 
Miles  (W.  A.)  Correspondence  ;  edited  by  C.  P.  Miles- 

1890. 
Burke  (E.)  Reflections  on  the  French  Revolution.  1790. 

Letter  to  a  Member  of  the  National  Assembly, 

1791. 
Morley  (J.  Lord,}  Robespierre. 

Condorcet. 

Mercier  (L.  S.)  Nouveau  Paris.     2  vols.     1800. 
jjStewarton]  Revolutionary  Plutarch.     3  vols.     1804. 

Female  Revolutionary  Plutarch.     3  vols.     1806. 

Founders  of  the  French  Republic.     1796. 
Mortimer-Ternaux    (L.)   Histoire   de   la  Terreur.      1792- 

1794.     1862-1881. 
Alger   (J.   G.)   Englishmen   in    the    French    Revolution. 

1889. 
Belloc  (Hilaire.)  Robespierre. 

Danton. 

352 


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Belloc  (Hilaire,)  Marie  Antoinette.     1909. 

Lewes  (G.  H.)  Robespierre.     1849. 

Granier  de  Cassagnac    (A.)  Histoire  des  Girondins  et  les 

Massacres  de  Septembre.     1860. 

Warwick   (C.   F.)    Danton    and    the  French  Revolution. 
1909. 

Robespierre  and  the  French  Revolution.     1909. 

FLIGHT  OF  THE  GIRONDISTS 

The  various  editions  of  Louvet's  M6moires. 

Meillan    (Arnaud,)    Memoires ;     public's    par    Berville    et 

Barriere.     1846. 

Dauban  (C.  A.)  Etude  sur  Madame  Roland  et  son  temps. 
1864. 

Edr.,  Lettres  de  Mme.  Roland  a  Buzot.     1864. 

Edr.,  M6moires  de  P6tion,  de  Buzot,  et  de  Bar- 

baroux.     1866. 
Vatel  (C.)  Charlotte  de  Corday  et  les  Girondins.      4  vols. 

1864-1872. 

H6rissay  (J.)  Un  Girondin  :  Francois  Buzot.     1907. 
Guadet  (J.)  Les  Girondins.     2  vols.     1861. 
Lenotre  (G.)  Vieilles  maisons,  vieux  papiers.     3  ser. 
Vaultier  (M.  C.  F.   E.)    Souvenirs  de  1'insurrection  Nor- 

mande.     1858. 
[Riouffe    (Honored   aft.   Baron,}}   Memoires   d'un   d6tenu. 

1795.     Louvet. 

Delandine  (A.  F.)  Tableau  des  prisons  de  Lyon.     1797. 
Puisaye  (J.  G.  de,  Comte,)  Memoires.     4  vols.      1803-1808. 

AFTER  THE  TERROR 

Louvet  (J.  B.)    Appel  des  victimes  du  31  Mai,  aux  Pari- 
siens  du  9  Thermidor.     [1794.] 

Opinion  de  J.  B.  L.  sur  la  restitution  des  biens 

des  condamnes.     [1795.] 

Accusation  portee  dans  la  Convention  Nationale 

contre  Rov&re.     [1795.] 

353  23 


LOUVET 

Lou  vet  (J.  B.) — continued.  Discours  prononce'  pour  ce"lebrer 
la  memoire  du  repr6sentant  FeYaud,  assassine 
dans  ses  fonctions.  1795. 

La  Sentinelle.     2e  seY. 

D6tail    de   la    mort    de    Louvet    de    Couvray, 

rempoisonnement  de  son  epouse,  ses 
derniSres  paroles.  1797. 

Riouffe  (Honore,   aft.  Baron,)  Oraison  fun^bre 

de  J.  B.  Louvet,  ex-repre"sentant  du  peuple. 
1797.  (Contains  many  biographical  notes  by 
Mme.  Louvet.) 

O.  (F.  J.,)  La  petite  chaumiere  de  M.  Louvet 

de  Couvray.     [A  satire.]    1795. 

Villiers  (P.,)  Le  Chiffonnier.     1800. 

Fusil  (Louise,)  Souvenirs  d'une  actrice.     1841. 
Analyse  du  Moniteur.     1800. 

Interm6diaire  des  chercheurs  et  curieux.     1864-1877. 
Barras  (P.  F.  J.,  Vicomte  de,)  M6moires  ;  publics  par  G. 

Duruy.     1895. 

Louvet  de  Couvray  (A.)  Histoire  du  principe  d'autorite 
depuis  Moise  jusqu'a  nos  jours.  1854. 

Les  hommes  providentiels :    Alexandre,  Cesar, 

Napoleon. 


354 


INDEX 


INDEX 


ABBAYE  Prison,  16. 

Abgral,  241,  242. 

Academy,  The,  2$n. 

Aixe-sur-Vienne,  296. 

Amar,    Jean   Pierre  Andre   (1750- 

1816),  85,  316. 

American  War  of  Independence,  10. 
Ami  du  Peuple,  L',  51,  172. 
Amis  des  Noirs,  Socittt  des,  59. 
Amours   du   Chevalier  de  Faublas. 

See  FAUBLAS. 
Annette,  208. 

Anobli  Conspirateur ,  L',  48. 
Antrain,  223. 

Appel  a  1'impartiale  Posterite,  326. 
Argenton,  300. 
Arpajon,  306. 

Anger,  Antoine  Augustin,  133. 
Aulard,  F.  A.,  pref.  i.,  25. 
Austrian  War,  69,  75. 

BACHAUMONT,  F.  LE  C.  DE,  330. 

Banquet  to  Guards,  36-40. 

Barbaroux,  Charles  J.  M.  (1767- 
1794).  93.  98,  99.  128,  130,  143, 
158,  167,  174,  179,  187,  189, 
192  et  seq.,  200,  205,  207  et  seq., 

211,  225,    232,    233,    236,    237, 
238,    241,    243,    250,    259,    262, 
263,    264,    266,    271,    275,    279, 
280,  281,  344. 

Barere,  Bertrand  (1755-1841),  120 
et  seq.,  137,  177,  181,  189,  211, 

212,  213,  337. 


Barnave,  Antoine  P.  J.  M.  (1761- 

1793).  36,  52,  57- 
Barras,    P.    F.    J.    N.,    Comte    de 

(1755-1829),  342,  344. 
Barriere,  J.  F.,  329. 
Bastille,  26,  35,  41,  58,  66,  82,  117. 
Baudoin,  F.  J.,  84. 
Baudot,   Marc  Antoine   (d.    1830), 

257,  260,  261. 
Bauer-Lormian,  339. 
Bee  d'Ambes,  255,  257,  260. 
Bechaud,  281. 
Belgium,     invasion     of,     78,     150 

et  seq, 
Bentabole,    Pierre    (d.    1797),    91, 

156- 
Bergoeing,    Francis    (1749-1820), 

176,  179,  225,  243,  245,  336. 
Beurnonville,    P.    de    Ruel,    Comte 

de  (1752-1821),  143. 
Beziers,  Bishop  of,  3. 
Billaud-Varenne,    Jacques    Nicolas 

(1756-1819),  130,  337. 
Birotteau,  Jean  Baptiste  (d.  1793), 

174. 

Blaye,  255. 
Boetidoux,  Jean  le  Deiste  de,  227, 

228  et  seq.,  241. 
Bois-Remont,  Le,  299. 
Boissy  d'Anglas,  Franfois  Antoine 

de  (1756-1826),  335. 
Bonaparte,  Napoleon,  25,  83. 
Bordeaux,  62,  223,  258,  259,  269, 

284,  295. 


357 


LOUVET 


Bosc,    Louis    Augustin    G.    (1759- 

1828),  65,  326,  346. 
Boucher,  Franfois  (1703-1770),    i, 

2. 

Boufflers,    Marie    Fran9oise    C.    de 

Beauvau,    Marquise    de    (1711- 

1786),  28. 
Bouille,  F.  C.  Amour,  Marquis  de 

(1739-1800),  50. 
Boulogne,  58. 

Bouquey,  Robert,  268,  269,  277. 
Bouquey,  Th6rese,  20,  266  et  seq., 

278. 

Bourbotte,  Pierre  (1763-1795),  337. 
Bourdon,  L.  J.  J.  Leonard  (1754- 

1807),   140. 
Bourg-la-Reine,  308. 
Bourges,  176. 

Bourrienne,  L.  A.  F.  de,  83. 
Boyer-Fonfrede,       Jean     Baptiste 

(1766-1793),  174,  191. 
Breard,  Jean  Jacques  (1760-1840), 

141. 
Bremont,     309,     310,     311,      312, 

3*3- 

Bremont,  Mme.,  313. 

Brest,  250,  251,  252. 

Bretheville,  Mme.  de,  207. 

Brigands  dtmasquts,  Les,  222n. 

Brissot,  Jean  Pierre  (1754-1793), 
!5»-.  53.  57  et  seq.,  63,  83,  84, 
85,  88,  102,  129,  143,  154,  158, 
166,  174,  183. 

Brissotins,  57,  60,  61,  191. 

Brunswick,  C.  W.  F.,  Duke  of 
(1735-1806),  82,  109,  119. 

Burke,  Edmund,  19. 

Buzot,  Franfois  Nicolas  Leonard 
(1760-1794),  60,  93,  98,  102, 
140,  143,  149  et  seq.,  158,  167, 
174,  179,  200,  203  et  seq.,  211, 

222,      225,      228,      233,      236,      237, 
241,      243,      25O,      26l,      267,      271, 


272,      273,      275,      279,      280,      281, 
282. 

Byron,  George  Gordon,  Lord,  99. 

CABARRUS,  THERESE.   See  TALLIEN, 

Mme. 

Caen,  200,  204,  206  et  seq.,  315. 
Calonne,     Charles     Alexandre     de 

(1734-1802),  49. 
Candeille,     Am61ie     Julie     (1767- 

1834),  90. 

Cannet,  Sophie,  243. 
Carhaix,  238,  239  et  seq. 
Carlyle,  Thomas,  18. 
Carmagnole,  La,  235,  236. 
Carnot,  Lazare  N.  M.  (1753-1823), 

342. 

Carreau,  Julie.     See  TALMA,  Mme. 
Carrier,  Jean  Baptiste  (1756-1794), 

332. 

Castillon,  2,  281. 
Cazales,  J.  A.  M.  de  (1752-1805), 

ii.  35- 
Chabot,    Antoine    Georges    (1758- 

1819),  190,  193,  194. 
Chalons,  58. 
Chambon    de    Montaux,     Nicolas, 

138,  150. 
Chamfort,  Nicolas  (1741-1794),  33, 

89. 

Chancy,   346. 
Chartres,  57. 
CMteauroux,  301. 
Chaumette,  Pierre  Gaspard  (1763- 

1794),  164. 

Chenier,  Andre  (1763-1794),  89. 
Chenier,  Marie  Joseph  (1764-1810), 

89-  336,  339- 

Cherubini,  M.  L.  C.  Z.  S.,  17. 
Chevalier  de  Faublas.     See  FAUBLAS. 
Childe  Harold,  98. 
Cholet,  7. 


358 


INDEX 


Cholet,  Mme.  See  LOUVBT,  MAR- 
GUERITE. 

Claviere,  6tienne  (1735-1793!,  58, 
59,  180,  181. 

Compere  Matthieu,  132. 

Condorcet,    Sophie.    Marquise    de, 

87.  327- 
Condorcet,    M.    J.   A.   N.  Caritat, 

Marquis  de  (1743-1794),  25,  34, 

65,  84,  199,  308. 
Constituent  Assembly,   35,  43,  47, 

50,  56,  63. 
Constitution     of     1791,     53,      54, 

55- 

Contrat  Social,  8  et  seq. 
Convention,  The  National,  16,  100, 

101,    102,    105,    109,    114,    115, 

119,      121,      122,      128,      136,      137, 

138,   142  et  seq.,   164,    172,    173, 
174,    1 80  et  seq.,   327,   330,   332, 

333.  337- 
Corday,  Charlotte  (1768-1793),  16, 

207,  209  et  seq.,  235,  287. 
Cordeliers,  157. 
Corunna,  98. 
Coulombeau,  138. 
Courrier  de  I' Europe,  58. 
Couthon,  Georges  (1756-1794),  191. 
Crebillon,   C.   P.   Jolyot  de   (1707- 

1777).  3.  12. 
Cromwell,  Oliver,  121. 
Cussy,   Gabriel  de,   225,   234,   238, 

241,  243,  302. 
Cuvier,  L.  C.  F.  D.,  18. 

DANICAN,  AUGUSTS,  General  (1763- 

1848),    222H. 

Danton,  Georges  Jacques  (1759- 
1794).  57.  84,  95,  loo,  105,  106, 
107,  112,  137,  142,  155,  156, 
163  et  seq.,  180,  190. 

Dantonists,  146. 

Dauban,  C.  A.,  201. 


Defermon,     Jacques,     aft.     Comte 

(1752-1831),  192. 
Delandine,  A.  F.,  49*1. 
Delille,  Jacques,  Abbt  (1738-1813), 

3.  44- 

Denuelle,  father  of  Lodoiska,  6^ 
Denuelle,  Marguerite.     See  LOUVET, 

MARGUERITE. 
Deperret,  P.  J.  Lauze.     See  LAUZE- 

DEPERRET,  P.  J. 

Deseze,  Raymond  (1750-1828),  138. 
Desfieux,     Fra^ois     (1755-1794), 

157,  161. 

Desgarcins,  Mile.  (1771-1797),  89. 
Desmoulins,    Camille    (1761-1794), 

53,  65,  68  et  seq. 
Dietrich,   P.   F.,  Baron  de  (1748- 

1793),  10  and  n. 
Dillon,    Theobald,     Comte    (1745- 

1792),  79- 
Dinan,  224,  225. 
Divorce  laws,  34,  46. 
Dobsent,  175,  191. 
D61,  223,  224,  320. 
Dordogne,  255,  260. 
Dorfeuille,  P.  P.,  48,  49  and  n. 
Doulcet    de    Pontecoulant,    Louis 

Gustave,  Comte  (1766-1853),  174, 

213,  214,  215. 
Dubarry,  Marie  Jeanne,   Comtesse, 

(1746-1793),  58. 
Dubois-Crance,    E.    L.    A.    (1747- 

1814).  IS7- 
Duchitel,     Gaspard     (1766-1793), 

226,  245. 
Duels,  Jean  Fra^ois  (1733-1816), 

89. 
Ducos,  Jean  Fra^ois  (1765-1793), 

191,  192. 
Dufriche     Valaze.      See     VALAZE, 

C.  E.  DUFRICHE. 
Duhem,  Pierre  Joseph  (1760-1807), 

141. 


359 


LOUVET 


Du  Laurens,  H.  J.,  Abbg,  132. 
Dumouriez,   Charles   Francis   Du- 

perrier  (1739-1823),   75,  79,   81, 

88  et  seq.,   150  et  seq.,   155,   163, 

164,  165  et  seq. 
Dumuis,  124. 
Dupaty,    C.    M.    J.    B.    M.    (1746- 

1788),  62. 

Dupeyrat,  257,  266. 
Dupeyrat,  Therese.     See  BOUQUEY, 

THERESE. 

Duplessis,  College,  61. 
Dupont,  Felicite,  aft.  Mme.  Brissot, 

58. 

Duport,  Adrien  (1759-1798),  57. 
Duquesnoi,    E.    D.    F.    J.    (1748- 

1795).  337- 

Duranthon,  Henri,  77. 
Duroi,  J.  M.,  337. 
Dusaulx,    Jean    (1728-1799),    189, 

192. 

Egarements  du  cceur  et  de  I'esprit, 

Les,  3  and  ». 
Election  et  I' audience  du  Grand  Lama 

Sispi,  49. 

Eliot,  George,  121. 
Emigres,  66  et  seq. 
Emile,  4. 

Emilie  de  Varmont,  46  et  seq. 
Essai  sur  I'lndgalite,  8  et  seq. 
]£vreux,  203,  204,  217,  273. 

FABRE  D' EGLANTINE,  P.  F.  N. 
(1750-1794),  113. 

Faublas,  Vie  et  amours  du  Chevalier 
de,  7,  ii,  1 8  et  seq.,  46,  48,  67, 
209,  245,  307,  328,  329,  348. 

Fauchet,    Claude,    Bishop    (1744- 

1793).  V4- 

Faugere,  M.  P.,  243  and  n. 
Federalism,  129  et  seq. 
Federes,  80,  82,  128. 


Feraud,     Jean      (1764-1795).     334. 

336,  337.  338. 
Ferte-Lowendal,  302. 
Flaubert,  Gustave,  n. 
Flight  to  Varennes,  51  et  seq. 
Fontainebleau,  32,  267,  268. 
For  bin,  Mile,  de,  210. 
Fouchet  la  Bremaudiere,  225. 
Fougere,  223. 
Fournier,  Claude,  "  The  American  " 

(1745-1823),  161. 
Freron,     Louis     Stanislas     (1765- 

1802),  334,  336,  337. 
Fusil,  Louise,  92n,  327  et  seq. 

GARAT,  DOMINIQUE  JOSEPH  (1749- 

1833),  98,  163. 
Garonne,  255,  260. 
Gauls,  152  et  seq. 
Geneva,  8. 
Genlis,  S.  F.  D.  de  St.  A.,  Comtesse 

de    (1746-1830),    I5«.,  58,    144, 

167  and  n,  2izn. 
Gensonne,     Armand     (1758-1793), 

61,  83,  93,  139  et  seq.,  143,  167, 

174,  185,  201. 
Girey-Dupre,    Jean    Marie    (1769- 

1793).  225,  241,  243,  245. 
Girondists,   16,  61,  63,  75,  80,  81, 

97.  98,  99,  122,  128  et  seq.,  140, 

145   et  seq.,    148   et  seq.,    165-6, 

175  et  seq.,  206-7,  33°,  33 L  333. 

338,  346. 
Giroux,     Jacques    Charles     (1749- 

1836),  225. 
Gorsas,     Antoine     Joseph     (1751- 

1793),  61,  174,  200,  205,  226. 
Gossec,  F.  J.  (1733-1829),  339. 
Goupilleau,  Philippe  Charles  Aime 

(1760-1823),  141. 
Goussard,  Mme.,  154,  201  et  seq. 
Grainger,   Captain,   251,   253,   254, 

255- 


360 


INDEX 


Grande  Revue  des  Armies  noire  et 

blanche,  48. 
Grangeneuve,    J.    A.    (1750-1793), 

174. 

Gremard,  133. 
Greze,  260. 

Guadet,  Madame,  278. 
Guadet,  J.,  270*1.,  278,  279,  282w. 
Guadet,  Lodoiska,  226,  278. 
Guadet,     Marguerite    ]£lie     (1755- 

1794),  61,  63,  75,  81,  82,  84,  93, 

98,    IO2,    IO3,    IO4,    143,    167,    170 

et  seq.,  174,  176,  179,  181,  204, 
205,  209,  222,  225,  226,  243, 
250,  257,  258,  259,  261,  266, 
268,  274,  275,  276,  277,  278, 
279.  300,  344- 

Guadet,  Saint-Brice,  278*1. 

Guynement  de  Keralio,  Chevalier, 
25. 

HARDY,  A.  F.,  174. 

Hassenfratz,  J.  H.     See  LE  LIEVRE. 

Hebert,      Jacques     Rene,      "  Pere 

Duchesne "   (1755-1794),  131    et 

seq.,  154,  175,  177,  178,  191,316. 
Hebertists,  146. 

Helvetius,  C.  A.  (1715-1771),  34. 
Henriot,  Fra^ois  (1761-1794),  179, 

186,  187,  191. 
Herault  de  S6chelles,   Marie   Jean 

(1760-1794),  178,  190,  191. 
H6rissay,  J.,  227n.,  25ow.,  26o«. 
Histoire     du     principe      d'autorilg 

depuis  Moise,  347. 
Homme  a  Quarante  Ecus,  L' ,  50. 
Hontmes  providentiels ,  Les,  347-8* 
Houdetot,  E.  F.  S.  de  la  Live  de 

Bellegarde  (1730-1813),  33. 
Hymne  de  Mort,  245  et  seq. 

Industrie,  L',  250,  251,  252,  254, 
255. 


Isnard,  Maximin  (1751-1830),  177, 
187.  189,  331. 

JACOBINS,  43  et  seq.,  55,  56,  57,  61, 

73.  75.  80.  US,  HO,  153.  155- 
Jeune  Captive,  La,  89. 
Jeunesse  dorfr,  La,  334,  336. 
Joseph  II.  (1741-1790),  54. 
Journal    de    la    Rtpublique    Fran- 

caise,  138  and  n. 
Journal  des  D&ats,  84. 
Jugon,  226. 
Julien  de  la  Dr6me,  Marc  Antoine, 

fils,  273. 
Jura  Mountains,  318  et  seq. 

KERALIO,  GUYNEMENT  DE,  Cheva- 
lier. See  GUYNEMENT  DE  KERA- 
LIO, Chevalier. 

Kersaint,  A.  G.  S.,  Comte  de  (1741- 
1793).  93-  302. 

Kervelegan,  A.  B.  F.  Le  Gouzre 
(1748-1825),  158,  223,  240,  243, 
336. 

Kreutzer,  R.  (1766-1831),  17. 

LA  BRUYERE,  JEAN  DE,  77. 

La  Coubre,  254. 

Lacroix,   Jean  Fra^ois  de  (1754- 

1794),   163,   166. 
Lafayette,  M.  J.  P.  R.  Y.  G.  M., 

Marquis  de  (1757-1834),  42,  6l, 

81,  82,  116,  219. 
La  Hubaudiere,  243. 
Lamb,  Charles,  i3«. 
Lamballe,    M.    T.    L.    de    Savoie- 

Carignan,    Princesse    de    (1749- 

1792),  20  and  n.,  119. 
Lamballe,  226,  227. 
Lameth,     Charles    Malo    Fra^ois 

and  Alexandre,  36,  57. 
Langlois,  Isidore,  343. 


LOUVET 


Lanjuinais,  Jean  Denis,  Comte 
(1753-1827),  139,  144,  154,  174, 
187  et  seq.,  341. 

Lanthenas,  Fra^ois  (1754-1799), 
65,  174,  191. 

Larevelliere-Lepaux,  L.  M.  de 
(1753-1824),  339,  340  and  w. 

Lariviere,  J.  F.  H.  de  (1761-1838), 
226,  331. 

La  Rochelle,  254. 

Lasource,  M.  D.  A.  (1762-1793), 
93,  129,  166,  174. 

Latour-Maubourg,  M.  V.  F.,  Mar- 
quis de,  52. 

Lauze   Deperret,    P.    J.,    200,    210, 

212. 

Lavache,  281. 

Lavicomterie,     Louis     Charles     de 

(1732-1809),  130. 
Lazowski,  Nicolas  (d.  1793),  161. 
Lebrun-Tondu,  P.  H.  H.  M.  (1763- 

*793).  93.  180,  181. 
Legendre,  Louis  (1752-1797),   187, 

337- 
Legislative  Assembly,    16,    56,   61, 

63,  67,  80,  84,  107,  108. 
Le  Grand,  347. 

Le  Hardy,  Pierre  (1758-1793),  174. 
Le  Lievre,   J.  H.    "  Hassenfratz," 

188,  and  n. 
Lenotre,    G.,    266«.,   268«.,   27011., 

274*1.,  279,  282». 
Leopold  II.  (1747-1792),  116. 
Lesage,    Jean    Henri    (1760-1823), 

225,  306,  331. 

Le  Tellier,  Jer6me,  272,  273. 
Libourne,  260,  284,  291. 
Limoges,  61,  291,  292,  295,  297. 
Lindet,    Robert    Thomas,    Bishop 

(1743-1823),  206. 
Livy,  138,  140,  141. 
Lodo'iska.     See     LOUVET,     MAR- 
GUERITE. 


Lodoiska,  opera  by  Cherubini,  17. 
Lodo'iska,   melodrama  by  Kemble, 

17. 

Lodoiska,  opera  by  Kreutzer,  17. 

Loiret,  Department  of  the,  346. 

Longjumeau,  307. 

Longwy,  85. 

Louis  XV.  (1710-1774),  i  et  seq. 

Louis  XVI.  (1754-1793),  20,  42, 
SO,  51.  53>  54.  55,  63,  75.  80,  81, 
83,  116,  123  et  seq.,  136  et  seq. 

Louvet,  Jean.  President  de  Pro- 
vence (i390?-i438),  13. 

Louvet,  Jean  Baptiste  (1760-1797), 
birth  and  parentage,  4 ;  early 
years,  5  et  seq.  ;  love  of  Lodoiska, 
6  et  seq,  ;  her  marriage,  7  ;  his 
despair,  8  ;  studies,  8  ;  influence 
of  Voltaire,  Rousseau,  and  the 
philosophes,  8  et  seq.  ;  becomes 
secretary  to  Dietrich,  10  ;  d&ut 
as  orator  and  man  of  letters,  1 1  ; 
becomes  publisher's  assistant, 
ii  ;  admitted  avocat,  n  ;  writes 
Faublas,  n  et  seq.,  16  et  seq.  \ 
temperament,  12  ;  descent,  13  ; 
Address  to  my  double,  13  et  seq.  ; 
method  of  work,  16  et  seq.  ', 
apology  for  gaiety  of  Faublas,  19  ; 
returns  to  Paris,  30  ;  becomes  a 
Revolutionist,  31;  joins  Lodoiska 
at  Nemours,  31  ;  liaison  with 
Lodoiska,  33  et  seq.  ;  dons  the 
tricolour,  35  ;  in  Paris  again, 
36  ;  he  is  challenged,  39  ;  Oc- 
tober 5th-6th,  40  et  seq.  ;  Paris 
justifi/,  43  ;  fimilie  de  Varmont, 
46  ;  dramatic  works,  48  et  seq.  ; 
allies  himself  with  the  Giron- 
dists, 63  et  seq.  ;  discusses  the 
Revolution  with  Lodoiska,  64 
et  seq.  ;  first  oratorical  triumph, 
67  et  seq.  ;  consults  Robespierre 


362 


INDEX 


and    Desmoulins    on    war    with 
Austria,    69    et    seq.  ;      ridicules 
Robespierre,   73  et  seq.  ;    Robes- 
pierre's   intrigues    against,    75  ; 
checkmates    Robespierre,    76    el 
seq.  ;     friendship    with    the    Ro- 
lands, 77  ;    founds  La  Sentinelle, 
77  ;      parable     on     Marat,     78  ; 
rescues  Swiss  Guards,  83  ;  literary 
work,    85  ;     social    success,    87. 
92  ;    elected  to  Convention,  95  ; 
suspicion  of  Robespierre,  Marat, 
and  Danton,  95  et  seq.  ;    indict- 
ment of  Robespierre,  99  et  seq.  ; 
Robespierre's  reply,  114  et  seq.  ; 
La   Sentinelle,    123   et  seq.  ;     at- 
tacked      by      Hebert,      134-5  ; 
denounces  Royal  Family,  140-1  ; 
rebukes    Danton,    142  ;    vote    in 
King's  trial,  141  etseq.  ;  threatens 
to  go  armed  to  the  Convention, 
150;     seeks   shelter   with   Mme. 
Goussard,  1 54  ;  warns  the  Giron- 
dists,    157-8  ;     denounces    con- 
spirators, 162-3  ;  is  accused,  174  ; 
addresses  Danton,  180  ;   arranges 
meeting  of  threatened  Girondists, 
183  ;    recommends  Departmental 
insurrection,    184 ;     goes   to   the 
aid  of  Lodoiska,  185  ;   in  hiding, 
200  ;     escapes  from   Paris,   203  ; 
reaches  Caen,  205  ;    expostulates 
with  his  friends,   205  ;     activity 
in  Caen,  206  ;    Mme.  Roland  on 
his     style,     206 ;      amuses     his 
friends,    209 ;     meets    Charlotte 
Corday,  211;    envies  Barbaroux, 
212  ;    on  Charlotte  Corday,  213, 
217  ;    joined  by  Lodo'iska,   221; 
marries    her,    222  ;     begins    the 
march  to  Quimper,  225  ;    adven- 
ture at  Rostrenen,   231   et  seq.  ; 
ready  wit,  233-4  ;    dash  through 


Carhaix,  238-9  ;   at  Penhars  with 
Lodoiska,    243    et    seq,  ;     writes 
Hymne    de    Mart,    245    et    seq.  ; 
befriended  by  a  National  Guard, 
247     et     seq.  ;      escapes      from 
Quimper,    250 ;     adventures    at 
sea,    251    et    seq.  ;     reaches    the 
Gironde,    256 ;     wanderings   and 
further  adventures,  261  et  seq.  ; 
life    in    the    caverns    of    Saint 
^milion,     267     et    seq.  ;      again 
takes  to  the  road,   275  ;     taken 
ill,    276-7  ;     sets   out    alone   for 
Paris,    278  ;     perils   and   adven- 
tures by  the  way,   283   et  seq.  ; 
reaches    Paris,    310 ;     with    Lo- 
doiska   in    hiding,    311    et    seq.  ; 
escapes  to  Jura  Mountains,  319 
et    seq.  ;      Lodoiska    joins    him, 
323  ;    life  in  exile,    323   et  seq.  ; 
birth  of  his  son,  324  ;   bookseller 
and  publisher,   325-6 ;    personal 
appearance,  327  et  seq.  ;   resumes 
seat    in    Convention,    330 ;     de- 
fends memory  of  the  Girondists, 
331  ;     refuses   to  renew   quarrel 
with  the  Mountain,  331  et  seq.  ; 
ist  Prairial,  333  etseq.  ;  Lodoiska 
saves  his  life,   336  ;    his  funeral 
oration  on  Feraud,  337  ;   elected 
President,    339 ;     social    success, 
339 ;      at    Mme.    Tallien's    fete, 
340    et    seq.  ;     revives    La    Sen- 
tinelle, 342  ;   libelled  by  Royalist 
journals,      342-3  ;      elected     to 
Council  of  Five  Hundred,   343  ; 
repels  attack  on  Lodoiska,  343-4  ; 
condemned  for  libel,   343  ;  com- 
pelled   to    move    his    establish- 
ment,   344  ;     health    gives   way, 
344  ;     disillusionment,    344  ;    ap- 
pointed Consul  at  Palermo,  344  ; 
death,  345  ;    descendants,  347-8. 


363 


LOUVET 


Louvet,     Louis,     father     of     Jean 
Baptiste,  4,  6,  12. 

Louvet,    Louise,    mother    of    Jean 
Baptiste,  4,  5. 

Louvet,  Marguerite,  "  Lodoiiska," 
birth,  6  ;  early  love  for  Louvet, 
6  and  n.,  7  ;  marriage,  7  ;  seeks 
divorce,  16,  46  ;  origin  of  name, 
31  ;  liaison  with  Louvet,  33  et 
seq.  ;  checks  Louvet,  39  ;  seeks 
to  win  over  the  soldiers,  42  ; 
advises  Louvet,  64  ;  friendship 
with  Mme.  Roland,  77,  88  ; 
literary  work,  85  ;  Amar  pays 
court  to,  85  ;  seeks  shelter  with 
Mme.  Goussard,  1 54 ;  foils 
conspiracy  against  Girondists, 
154  et  seq.  ;  comforts  mother 
of  Barbaroux,  185  ;  her  anxiety, 
185-6  ;  agent  between  Giron- 
dists, 20 1  ;  bears  letters  from 
Mme.  Roland  to  Buzot,  203;  shares 
Mme.  Roland's  confidence,  203  ; 
escapes  from  Paris,  203  ;  returns, 
204  ;  Mme.  Roland's  injustice 
to,  204-5  J  joins  Louvet  at 
Vire,  221  ;  marries  Louvet, 
222  ;  proceeds  alone  to  Quimper, 
225  ;  arrest  and  escape,  241  ; 
joins  Louvet,  243  ;  life  at  Pen- 
hars,  243  et  seq.  ;  befriended  by 
a  National  Guard,  247  et  seq.  ; 
escapes  to  Paris,  249  ;  her  in- 
fluence over  Louvet,  263-4  ; 
draws  him  to  Paris,  278  ;  Lou- 
vet's  fears  for  her  safety,  301-2  ; 
Lou  vet's  return,  310  ;  conceals 
him,  311  etseq.;  smuggles  him  out 
of  Paris,  319  ;  joins  him  in  the 
Jura  Mountains,  323  ;  life  in 
exile,  323-4 ;  birth  of  her  son, 
324  ;  Wolfe  Tone  calls  to  see 
her,  326  ;  her  personal  appear- 


ance, 327  et  seq.  ;  saves  Louvet's 
life,  336  ;  attack  on,  343-4  ;  at 
Louvet's  death-bed,  345  ;  poisons 
herself,  but  recovers,  345-6 ; 
last  years  and  death,  346-7. 

Louvet,  Pierre  Florent,  15,  16. 

Louvet  de  Couvray,  M.  A.,  347-8. 

Lyons,  49  and  n. 

MACAULAY,  T.  B.,  Lord,  121. 

Madame  B  ovary,  1 1 . 

Malesherbes,  C.  G.  de  Lamoignon 

de  (1721-1794),  138. 
Mallet    du    Pan,     Jacques    (1749- 

1800),  132,  i8on.,  331. 
Malouet,  Pierre  Victor  (1740-1814), 

35- 

Mansfield,  William  Murray,  Earl  of 
(1705-1793),  58. 

Manuel,  P.  L.  (1751-1793),  302. 

Marat,  Jean  Paul  (1743-1793),  26, 
51,  52,  54».,  57,  78,  90  et  seq., 
95  et  seq.,  99,  100,  109,  no-ill, 
116,  131,  137-8,  139,  150,  154, 
165,  171  et  seq.,  175,  178,  191, 
212,  217,  235,  287. 

Maratists,  146,  295. 

Marchena,  Josef  (1768-1821),  226, 
243,  245  and  «. 

Maria  Teresa  (1717-1780),  36. 

Marie  Antoinette  (1755-1793),  20, 
36  et  seq.,  42,  53,  58. 

Marino,     Jean     Baptiste      (1767- 

1794).  177- 

Marriage  of  priests,  46,  47. 
Marseillaise,    La,    235,    272,     339, 

343- 

Marseilles,   223. 
Masuyer,  174. 
Mithon-de-la-Cour,    C.     J.    (1738- 

1793),  49n. 
Maurepas,  J.  F.  P.,  Comte  de  (1701- 

1781),  123. 


364 


INDEX 


Maury,  J.  S.,  aft.  Cardinal  (1746- 

1817),  35,  48,  205. 
M6doc,  255. 
Meillan,  Arnaud,    i83«.,  209,   225, 

228,  236,  245. 
Mftnoires  d'un  detenu,  326. 
Mercier,  L.  S.  (1740-1814),  4  and 

n.,  12. 
Merlin  de  Douai,  Philippe  Antoine 

(1754-1838),  113. 
Messager  du  Rot,  343. 
Mestais,  Mile.,  346. 
Meulan,  203. 

Michel,  C.  L.  S.  (1754-1814),  177. 
Minden,  i. 
Mirabeau,   H.    G.    Riquetti,    Comte 

de  (1749-1791),  10,  35,  59,  68. 
Mirabeau,  A.  B.  L.  R.,  Vicomte  de 

(1754-1792),  48. 
Miranda,  Francisco,  General  (1750- 

1816),  152,  155. 
Miromesnil,    A.    T.    H.    de    (1723- 

1796),  123. 

Mrs.  Warren's  profession,  2. 
Moliere,  Theitre  de,  48. 
Mollevaut,  Etienne  (d.   1815),  226. 
Moncontour,  227. 
Monnier,    M.    T.    R.    de    Ruffey, 

"  Sophie,"    Marquise   de    (1754- 

1789),  10. 
Montargis,  347. 
Montault,  91. 
Montmorin-Saint-Herem,     Armand 

Marc,  Comte  de  (1745-1794),  119. 
Montpont,  283. 
Montyon,  J.  B.  A.,  Baron  de  (1733- 

1820),  ii. 
Moore,   Dr.   John  (1730-1802),   98 

et  seq.,  112,  122. 
Moore,  Sir  John,  98. 
Morley,  John,  Lord,  84. 
Morris,     Gouverneur    (1752-1815), 


Moulinet-Duplex,  133. 

Mounier,  Jean  Joseph  (1758-1806), 

43- 
Mountain,  The,  129,  130,  136,  145 

et  seq.,  197  et  seq.,  206,  331,  333. 
Mussidan,  285. 

NARBONNE-LARA,  Louis  PIERRE, 
Comte  DE  (1755-1813),  79. 

Necker,  Jacques  (1732-1804),  36, 
124. 

Nemours,  31,  32,  35,  346. 

Nouvelle  Htloise,  La,  4,  12. 

ORLEANS,  Louis  PHILIPPE  JOSEPH, 
"  6galite  "  (1747-1793).  HO,  141- 

PACHE,     JEAN     NICOLAS      (1746- 

1813),  98,  174. 
Palissoux,   294. 
Panis,    Etienne   Jean   (1757-1833), 

99,  1 68,  and  n. 
Paris,  4,  21,  22,  30,  35,  40,  51,  52, 

57,    82,    85,    86,    loo,    107,    117, 

266,    284,    298,    300,    301,    302, 

307,  308,  318,  319,  320. 
Paris  justifid,  43,  68. 
Patriote  Francais,  57,  59. 
Ptre  Duchesne,  131  et  seq.,  177,  287. 
Perigueux,  263,  275,  291,  292,  293, 

294. 
Petion,   Jer6me  (1753-1794),   i5«., 

36,  52,   113,   143,   154,  158,   170, 

174,      2O6,      2O7,      2O8,      2O9,      211, 

212  and  n.,  217,  222,  225,  228, 

232,    235,    236,    237,    241,    243, 

250,    258,    261,    267,    271,    275, 

279,  281,  282. 
Polignac,  Y.  M.   G.  de  Polastron, 

Duchesse  de  (1749-1793),  49. 
Pompadour,     Jeanne      Antoinette 

Poisson,     Marquise     de     (1721- 

1764),  2,  3. 


365 


LOUVET 


Pouliguen  brothers,  250,  251,  252. 

Poussin,   133. 

Prault,   ii. 

Prenoy,  346. 

Priestley,  Joseph  (1733-1804),  109. 

Prieur,    Pierre   Louis   (1760-1827), 

206. 
Public  Safety,  Committee  of,   100, 

164,  181,  182,  189,  273,  331,  339. 
Pucelle,  La,  \$n. 
Puisaye,   Comic   Joseph  de  (1754- 

1827),  217  et  seq. 


QUEBEC,  i. 
Quiberon,  340. 

Quimper,  223,  224,  225,  236,  240, 
241,  250. 

& 

RABAUT-POMIER,     J.     A.     (1744- 
1808), 


Robespierre,  Frai^ois  Maximilien 
Joseph  Isidore  (1758-1794),  9,  16, 
19.  36,  45.  47.  54»-.  56,  57.  63, 
68  el  seq.,  83-4,  97,  99  et  seq., 
1 02  et  seq.,  114  et  seq.,  134,  136, 
*37.  139.  163,  165,  167,  168, 
170,  181,  199,  247,  302,  304, 

324.  333.  339- 

Robespierrists,    146. 

Roland,  Eudora,  aft.  Mme.  Cham- 
pagneux  (1781-1858),  197,  326. 

Roland  de  la  Platiere,  Jean  Marie 
(I734-I793).65,  75.  77-  84,  85,  99, 
102,  107,  132  et  seq.,  154,  165, 
181,  183,  268,  302,  346. 

Roland,  Marie  Jeanne  Phlipon 
(I754-i793).  16,  25,  47,  54*1., 
59.  65,  70  et  seq.,  80,  87,  89,  98, 
120,  135,  183,  197,  201  et  seq., 
207,  208,  209,  222,  243,  272, 
273.  301,  326,  330,  344. 


Rabaut-Saint-Etienne,  J.  P.  (1743-  Romme,  Gilbert  (1750-1795),  206, 

J793).    lSn-   93.    144.    176,    179.  337- 

1 80.  Rossbach,  i. 

Raffet,  Commandant,  336,  344.  Rostrenen,  231. 

Rebecqui,       Fra^ois       Trophime  Rouget    de    Lisle,    Claude    Joseph 


(1760-1794),  99,   150,  300. 
Rennes,  223,  226,  227,  229,  284. 
Republicans,  The  first,  25,  26,  54«. 
Rfreil  du  Peuple,  Le,  343. 
Revolutionary  Tribunal,   154,   155, 

171. 
Richard  Cceur  de  Lion,  37,  38. 


(1760-1836),  339. 

Rousseau,     Jean    Jacques    (1712- 
1778),  4,  8  et  seq.,  34,  124. 


SABRAN,  F.  E.  DE  J.  DE  MANVILLB, 
Comtesse  DE  (1750-1827),  28. 


Richelieu,  L.  F.  A.,  Due  de  (1696-      Sade,    Donatien    A.    F.,    Marquis 


1788),  28. 
Riouffe,  Honore,  aft.  Baron  (1764- 

I8i3),  97«->  225,  237,  238,  241, 

243.  245.  324,  326. 
Rivarol,    Antoine    (1753-1801),    3, 

40,  219,  331. 
Robert,  Mme.,  25. 
Robespierre,  Augustin  Bon  Joseph 

(1763-1794),  113,  175,  187. 


de  (1740-1814),  28. 
Salbris,  302. 
Saint-Barthelemy,  324. 
Saint  Emilion,  258,  261,  266,  268, 

269. 
Saint-Germain,    C.    L.,    Comte    de 

(1707-1778;,  124. 
Saint-Huruge,    Marquis   de   (1750- 

1810),  41. 


366 


INDEX 


Saint-Lambert,  Jean  Fra^ois,  Mar- 
quis de  (1716-1803),  34. 

Saint-Simon,  Louis  de  Rouvroy, 
Due  de  (1675-1755),  3. 

Salle,  Jean  Baptiste  (1759-1794), 
98,  139,  143,  144,  158,  174,  205, 
222,  225,  236,  237,  241,  243,  245, 
261,  266,  275,  276,  277,  278, 
300. 

Salle,  Mme.,  38. 

Sans -culottes,  186,  205  and  «.,  271. 

Santerre,  Antoine  Joseph  (1752- 
1809),  107,  179. 

Sedaine,  Michel  Jean  (1719-1797), 

37- 
Sentinelle,  La,  77,  78,  123  et  seq., 

135.  342. 
September    massacres,    85-6,    102, 

107,  118,  119,  155. 
Servan,  Joseph  (1741-1808),  79,  80. 
Seven  Years'  War,  i. 
Sex  question,  33  et  seq. 
Sieyes,     Emmanuel      Joseph,     aft. 

Comte     (1746-1836),     36,      121, 

148. 
Sillery,  C.  A.  Brulart,  Marquis  de 

(1737-1793).  !44.  167. 
Soubise,      Fra^ois      de       Rohan, 

Prince  de  (1715-1787),  2. 
Soubrany,   P.    A.   de   (1750-1795), 

337- 

Souvenirs  d'une  advice,  92n.,  327. 
Stael-Holstein,    A.    L.    Germaine, 

Baronne    de    (1766-1817),    79«., 

339- 

States-General,  26,  30. 
Stevenson,  Robert  Louis,  32. 
Stuttgart,  3. 
Suard,    Mme.     Panckomke   (1750- 

1830),  155. 
Sulla,  121. 

Swift,  Jonathan,  332. 
Switzerland,  58,  318  et  seq. 


TAINE,  H.  A.,  gn.,  47. 

Talleyrand    de    P6rigord,    C.    M., 

Prince  de  (1754-1838),  36. 
Tallien,  Jean  Lambert  (1769-1820), 

107,  257,  337,  340,  341,  342. 
Tallien,    Mme.    Therese     Cabarrus 

(1775-1835),     26,     339,     340     et 

seq. 
Talma,     Fra^ois     Joseph    (1763- 

1826),  87,  89,  90,  92,  93. 
Talma,    Mme.    Julie,    87,    88,    327, 

328. 
Target,  Gui  Jean  Baptiste  (1733- 

1807),  35. 

Tavernes,  Les,  291. 
Terror,   Reign  of,  9,    16,    53,   311,' 

334- 

Theatre  de  Moliere,  48. 
Theatre  Fran9ais,  48. 
Thermidorians,  334,  337. 
Theroigne     de     Mericourt,     Anne 

Josephe  (1762-1819],  41. 
Thiviers,  295. 
Thomas,   Antoine  Leonard  (1732- 

1785),  62. 
Tilly,    J.   P.   A.,  Comte  de   (1764- 

1816),   144. 
Treilhard,     Jean     Baptiste,     aft. 

Comte  (1742-1810),  257. 
Trial  of  Louis  XVI.,  136  et  seq. 
Tronchet,    Fra^ois    Denis    (1726- 

1806),   138. 

Troquart,  Jean  Baptiste,  279. 
Tuileries,   20,   42,    51,   81,    82,    83, 

117,  179. 
Turgot,     Ann     Robert      Jacques, 

Baron  (1727-1781),  61. 

VALADY,  J.  G.  C.  S.  X.  J.  J. 
d'Izarn  de  Fraissinet,  Marquis 
de  (1766-1793),  174,  226,  243, 
252,  261,  262,  263,  266,  274,  275, 
291. 


367 


LOUVET 


Valaze,  Charles  Elecraore  Dufriche 
(1751-1793),  158,  174,  201. 

Valence,  C.  Y.  M.  de  T.,  Comte 
de  (1757-1822),  152,  167. 

Varennes,  52. 

Varlet,  175. 

Vatel,  Charles,  -jn.,  244*1.,  266n., 
26Sn.,  270*1.,  282w. 

Vendee,  La,  179,  186,  296,  300. 

Vergniaud,  Pierre  Victurnien 
(I7S3-I793).  61  et  seq.,  65,  67, 
88,  93,  102,  141,  143,  154,  158, 
160  et  seq.,  167,  168-9,  *74.  X75. 
181,  185,  213,  344. 

Vernier,     Theodore      (1731-1818), 

335- 

Vernon,  217  et  seq. 
Versailles,    i,   26,    30,    36,   40,   41, 

Si- 
Vierzon,  302. 


Villette,      Charles,       Marquis       de 

(1736-1793),  58. 
Vincennes,  10. 
Vire,  221. 
Voltaire,  F.  Arouet  de  (1694-1778!, 

8,  10,  13,  34,  50,  57,  73,  124. 

Wilhelm  Meister,   18. 

Williams,  David  (1738-1816),   120. 

Wimpfen,     General     Felix    (1745- 

1814),  205-6,  210,  217. 
Women's  Suffrage,  25  and  «.,  26. 

YOUNG,  ARTHUR  (1741-1820),  4,  52. 
Ysabeau,  Claude  Alexandre  (1750- 
1823),  257. 

Zadig,  73-4. 
Zelie,  208. 
Zeluco,  98. 


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